Pre-trial

Following the confirmation of the indictment against the five accused, Isni Kilaj, along with Bashkim Smakaj and Fadil Fazliu, was arrested by the SPO on 5 December and then transferred to the Detention Facilities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague on 6 December 2024. Hashim Thaçi was served with an arrest warrant at the KSC Detention Facilities on 5 December, while Hajredin Kuçi was summoned to appear for an initial appearance. During their initial appearances on 8 December 2023, Thaçi and Smakaj did not enter pleas while Fazliu pleaded not guilty to all charges. The following day, 9 December, both Kuçi and Kilaj pleaded not guilty to all charges. After Thaçi and Smakaj opted not to enter their pleas during the hearing on 17 December 2024, the Pre-Trial Judge requested that they submit their pleas in writing by 7 January 2025. On 6 January 2025, Thaçi filed a notice declaring his plea of not guilty. Bashkim Smakaj's not guilty plea was submitted on 3 January and made public on 14 January 2025.

On 6 October 2023, Sabit Januzi and Ismet Bahtijari were transferred to the KSC Detention Unit, while Haxhi Shala was transferred on 12 December 2023. All three persons are charged with offences related to administration of justice. On 13 December 2023, the SPO submitted a request to join the cases of Januzi and Bahtijari (KSC-BC-2023-10) with the case involving Haxhi Shala (KSC-BC-2023-11). Subsequently, on 8 February 2024, the Pre-Trial Judge granted the SPO's request and decided to rename the joint case as the Specialist Prosecutor v. Sabit Januzi, Ismet Bahtijari and Haxhi Shala, with case number KSC-BC-2023-10. On 4 September 2024, the Pre-Trial Judge transmitted the case file to Trial Panel I. The trial preparation conferences took place on 7 and 8 October 2024. Following the plea agreements between the SPO and the three accused, Januzi, Bahtijari and Haxhi Shala pleaded guilty to counts 2 and 3 of the confirmed indictment on 18 and 19 December 2024. The Trial Panel is currently considering the plea agreements reached in this case and will issue its decision in due course.