The Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague is expected to deliver its first-instance verdict on September 16 in the trial of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four defendants face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which they have denied.
RTSH’s Jonida Omeri reported from The Hague on the atmosphere ahead of the verdict. She said the ruling is expected at around 10:00 and that RTSH will cover it live. Both the prosecution and the defence can appeal the first-instance verdict.
More than 10,000 ethnic Albanians are expected to gather in The Hague on the eve of the ruling, according to organizers cited by Omeri. Participants are expected from Kosova, Albania and the diaspora. Organizers have planned a march near the court and another gathering point. Dutch authorities have also taken security measures around the Kosova Specialist Chambers.
The prosecution called more than 100 witnesses during the trial. Defence witnesses, including former senior figures from the Kosova war, challenged claims that the four defendants belonged to a centralized command structure. Some witnesses described Thaçi primarily as a political and diplomatic figure rather than a military commander. Omeri said the verdict could carry wider political significance because of the strong interest in Kosova, Albania and the region.
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