The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague will deliver its judgment at 10 a.m. on 17 November in the case against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and four co-defendants over alleged offences against the administration of justice.
The other defendants are Bashkim Smakaj, former head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), Isni Kilaj, former mayor of Malisheva, Fadil Fazliu and former Justice Minister Hajredin Kuçi.
According to the indictment confirmed on 29 November 2024, the five defendants face charges connected to alleged attempts to influence witness testimony in the war crimes trial.
Prosecutors allege that between 12 April and 2 November 2023, Thaçi passed confidential information about witnesses for the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office to his co-defendants, along with instructions on how to influence their testimony. Prosecutors also allege that he coordinated three separate groups in an effort to influence witness testimony.
Thaçi faces three counts of attempting to obstruct official persons in performing official duties, four counts of violating the secrecy of proceedings and four counts of contempt of court.
Smakaj, Kilaj and Fazliu each face two counts, while Kuçi faces two counts of contempt of court.
At the close of the trial, prosecutors sought a six-year prison sentence for Thaçi and asked the court to deny him credit for time spent in pretrial detention.
On 16 September 2026, Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the trial of former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
The 17 November judgment is expected to determine the criminal liability of Thaçi and his four co-defendants in the administration of justice case.
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