The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSCC) in The Hague announce that the evidence presentation phase in the trial against Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi, for criminal offenses against the administration of justice, has been closed.
Single Judge Christopher Cosnell has issued an order declaring the evidence phase closed and confirming dates for final filings and closing arguments, reports Oath for Justice.
According to the Special, August 24, 2026 has been set as the deadline for final court files, if any, and September 4, 2026 for counter-files, if any. Meanwhile, September 10, 11 and 14, 2026 were set as the dates for closing statements.
At the initial hearing on February 27, 2026, Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Fadil Fazliu, Isni Klilaj, and Hajredin Kuçi pleaded not guilty to the criminal offenses charged against them.
On the same day (February 27, 2026), the first witness in this court case, who was under protective measures, began his testimony. His testimony ended on March 2, 2026.
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On March 3 and 4, 2026, the second witness, Koen Herlaar - a forensic expert at the Netherlands Institute of Forensic Science, testified. On March 4, the third witness, Chrisopher Kelly - a digital forensics investigator, began his testimony. This witness concluded his testimony on March 5. Meanwhile, as a witness for Thaçi's defense, the forensic transcription expert, Helen Fraser, testified. She testified on May 11 and 12, 2026.
Otherwise, Hashim Thaçi has been in the Detention Center in The Hague since November 2020. He is being tried for war crimes, and in 2024 he was indicted against the administration of justice.
Regarding the case against the administration of justice, Bashkim Smakaj, Fadil Fazliu and Isni Kilaj were arrested on December 5, 2024 in Kosovo and transferred to the detention facility at the Kosovo Prison Service on December 6, 2024 based on the confirmed indictment and arrest warrants issued by The Hague.
Meanwhile, Thaçi was served with an arrest warrant at the detention facility in The Hague on December 5, 2024, according to the DSK announcement.
Meanwhile, Hajredin Kuçi was served with the confirmed indictment and a summons to appear before the pre-trial judge for his first appearance, which was held on December 9.
According to the indictment, Thaçi individually and through joint actions with groups; The Fazliu Group (Fadil Fazliu and Fahri Fazliu), the Smakaj Group (Bashkim Smakaj, Blerim Shala and Artan Behrami) as well as the Kilaj Group (Isni Kilaj and Vllaznim Kryeziu), have followed a pattern of behavior to hinder official persons in the performance of official duties .
The indictment states that Thaçi has led and participated in these efforts through his visits to detention facilities while he was detained as part of his trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It states that the members of the Fazliu Group, the Smakaj Group and the Kilaj Group coordinated to influence the ZPS witnesses during the non-privileged visits on July 2, September 9 and October 6, 2023.
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As a result, Thaç is charged with three charges of obstructing an official in the performance of official duties, three charges of breaching the secrecy of the procedure and four charges of disobeying the court.
Meanwhile, Kilaj, Smakaj and Fazliu are accused of attempting to obstruct officials in the performance of official duties and disobedience to the court. Meanwhile, Kuçi has two charges of disobedience to the court. /Oath for Justice
