Live update

On 21 September 2026, the Single Trial Judge reviewed the restrictions on Hashim Thaçi’s non-privileged visits and partially lifted those imposed in July 2025. The prohibition on visits by four individuals remains in place, while the prohibition concerning the other specified visitors has been lifted with immediate effect. Their visits will instead be subject to active monitoring. 
The Judge found, among other things, that the progression of the proceedings has significantly diminished, if not eliminated, the risk of influencing witnesses in this case. However, he found that the continued prohibition on visits by four individuals remains necessary and proportionate to preserve the integrity of the proceedings.
The restrictions will be reviewed again in December 2026.

Separately, in another detention-related decision in the other Thaçi et al. case, issued on 16 September, Trial Panel II temporarily suspended the limit on the number of non-privileged in-person visits for Thaçi, Veseli and Selimi from 16 to 21 September 2026, allowing the Registrar to schedule additional visits during that period.

Following the extension of the filing deadline, Pjetër Shala filed his referral to the Constitutional Court on 15 September 2026. The referral is now available in the Public Court Records and it follows the Supreme Court decision of 25 June 2026.

Apart from this, another referral by Pjetër Shala is currently pending before the Constitutional Court, as announced previously.
 

The transcript of the KSC Weekly Press Briefing on 17/09/2026 is now available.

Following the Trial Judgment, Trial Panel II decided to hold reparation proceedings and issue a reparation order in the Thaçi et al. case, pursuant to Article 22(8) of the Law and Rule 168 of the Rules, rather than refer victims to civil litigation in Kosovo, provided that no objections are raised by the Defence. Any such objections are to be filed by 22 September, with responses by Victims’ Counsel and the SPO by 25 September.
The Panel also ordered Victims’ Counsel to file a request for reparations by 14 October, with responses by the SPO and the Defence by 4 November 2026.
More details, including other deadlines set by the Panel, are available in the order.

The Trial Panel today pronounced its judgment in the case of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The Trial Panel found that all four Accused were criminally responsible for the war crimes of arbitrary detention against 385 individuals, cruel treatment against 49 individuals, torture against 303 individuals, and murder against 96 individuals. 

The Trial Panel found the accused not guilty of crimes against humanity because the Specialist Prosecutor failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there was a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population. The accused were also found not guilty in connection with a number of specific incidents of war crimes.

The Trial Panel sentenced Hashim Thaçi to 25 years of imprisonment, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, Rexhep Selimi to 13 years and Jakup Krasniqi to 25 years in prison, with credit for time already served.

More details in the Press Release.

Following the parties’ responses and comments during today’s hearing, the closing statements were completed and Judge Gosnell declared the case against Thaçi, Smakaj, Kilaj, Fazliu and Kuçi closed pursuant to Rule 136 of the KSC Rules.
The date for the pronouncement of the Trial Judgment will be announced in due course.
More information about the case is available on the dedicated case page.

This morning, the Smakaj Defence resumed and completed its closing statement, followed by the Defence teams of Kilaj, Fazliu and Kuçi. With the Thaçi Defence having completed its closing statement yesterday, all five Defence teams have now concluded their submissions, requesting the Single Trial Judge to acquit their clients on all counts.
The hearing has concluded for today. The Single Trial Judge decided that proceedings will resume on Monday, 14 September, at 09:30 with responses and comments by the parties.

This afternoon, the Thaçi Defence presented its closing statement, followed by the Defence of Bashkim Smakaj, which began its submissions. The hearing has concluded for today and will resume tomorrow at 09:30. 

The transcript of the KSC Weekly Press Briefing on 10/09/2026 is now available.

The SPO completed its closing statement today, requesting the Single Trial Judge to find all five accused guilty on all counts in the indictment. It requested sentences of six years’ imprisonment for Hashim Thaçi (which, according to the SPO, should run consecutively to any sentence imposed in the other case against him, should one be imposed), three years each for Bashkim Smakaj, Fadil Fazliu and Isni Kilaj, and nine months for Hajredin Kuçi. The Thaçi Defence will begin its closing statement after the lunch break.