The Hague trial of the former KLA leaders: what is known so far?

After more than three years of trial and the review of an extensive body of evidence, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague are expected on September 16, 2026, to deliver the judgment in the case against Kosovo’s former president Hashim Thaçi, former parliament speakers Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and former MP Rexhep Selimi.

The verdict announcement is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00 AM.

According to the court, the Panel needed extra time due to the complexity of the case and the large volume of evidence.

The decision will be made by Trial Panel II, composed of three active judges and one reserve judge.

The Panel is presided by Charles L. Smith III, while members are Christoph Barthe and Guénaël Mettraux. Reserve judge is Fergal Gaynor.

This panel was appointed in December 2022 and has conducted the entire trial in this case.

The Panel’s role is decisive: the judges must assess the evidence presented during the trial and determine whether the Prosecution has managed to prove the guilt of each of the four accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Only the Panel decides on the facts, the assessment of evidence and criminal responsibility.

What charges do the four former KLA leaders face?

Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi face charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Among the charges are persecution, imprisonment, other inhumane acts, torture, murder and enforced disappearance, as well as unlawful and arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder as war crimes.

According to the indictment, the alleged crimes relate to the period from at least March 1998 to September 1999 and to several locations in Kosovo, as well as in Kukës and Cahan in northern Albania.

All four accused are alleged by the Prosecution to bear individual criminal responsibility in various forms.

They have pleaded not guilty and the defense has contested the Prosecution’s charges.

Each of the accused has their own defense team.

Hashim Thaçi is defended by Luka Mishetiq, who is the lead counsel. His team also includes co-counsels Dastid Pallaska, Pierre-Richard Prosper, Sophie Menegon and Nina Tavakoli.

Kadri Veseli is defended by Rodney Dixon as lead counsel, while the team includes Annie O’Reilly and Kerrie Ann Roíban.

Rexhep Selimi is represented by Geoffrey Roberts, with Eric Tully and Chad Mair as co-counsels.

Jakup Krasniqi is defended by Venkateswari Alagendra, while her team includes Aidan Ellis, Victor Băieșu and Shyamala Alagendra Khan.

So, facing the Prosecution there is not a single defense team, but four separate teams, each responsible for the defense of its own client.

Who is the Prosecution?

The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office is headed by Kimberly West, the third Specialist Prosecutor of this court.

In the Thaçi and others case, the core team of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office consists of: Alan Tieger, Clare Laëson, Nathan Quick.

Otherwise, the trial against Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi is one of the most important proceedings conducted by the Specialist Chambers.

It began on April 3, 2023, and lasted more than three years, including hundreds of trial days and a very large number of pieces of evidence.

The Panel itself has argued that the extra time for drafting the judgment was necessary due to the complexity of the case and the amount of evidence, so that the decision is complete, reasoned and based on a comprehensive assessment of the evidentiary material.

The verdict is expected to be announced on September 16 at the Special Court in The Hague. /Telegrafi/