Live update

Following the completion of testimony of James Rubin, who was first questioned by the Trial Panel and then further questioned by two Defence teams, the second witness for the Thaçi Defence appeared in the courtroom today. Paul Williams, presented by the Defence as a pro bono legal advisor to the Kosovo delegation at the Rambouillet Conference in February and March 1999, has now begun his testimony.

The first Defence witness for Hashim Thaçi, James Rubin, continued his testimony this morning, with the Trial Panel resuming its questioning from yesterday.

On 16 September 2025, the Pre-Trial Judge in the case against Thaçi, Smakaj, Kilaj, Fazliu and Kuçi informed the parties that she intends to transmit the case to a Trial Panel in the first half of November, subject to the Court of Appeals Panel’s decisions on pending pre-trial motions.
The decision further invited the Defence teams to file their pre-trial briefs by 20 October 2025 (the SPO had already been ordered to file its pre-trial brief by 19 September, as previously announced here), and sets a few other procedural deadlines. 

After questioning by the three Defence teams yesterday, the Prosecution began its cross-examination of James Rubin, the first Defence witness for Hashim Thaçi. The cross-examination continued this morning.

In the trial of Thaçi et al., the Defence of Hashim Thaçi commenced the presentation of its evidence this morning by calling its first witness. The witness is James Rubin, who, according to the Defence’s summary read in court, served as Assistant US Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson from 1997 to 2000. Representatives of the United States Government are present in the courtroom to accompany the witness.

Here is the transcript of today's KSC Weekly Press Briefing.

Another KSC weekly press briefing will take place on Thursday, 11 September, at 14:30. During this briefing, the KSC Spokespersons will provide a short update on the latest developments in the judicial proceedings before the KSC, as well as on other public activities of the Court. Journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions. Pre-registration is required to attend each briefing. To pre-register, please send an email with name and affiliation to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-registration is every Thursday at 12:00. The Zoom details will be shared following pre-registration. Recordings of the update provided during the Weekly Press Briefings will be made available on the KSC YouTube Channel.

Here is the transcript of today's KSC Weekly Press Briefing.

Another KSC weekly press briefing will take place on Thursday, 4 September, at 14:30. During this briefing, the KSC Spokespersons will provide a short update on the latest developments in the judicial proceedings before the KSC, as well as on other public activities of the Court. Journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions. Pre-registration is required to attend each briefing. To pre-register, please send an email with name and affiliation to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-registration is every Thursday at 12:00. The Zoom details will be shared following pre-registration. Recordings of the update provided during the Weekly Press Briefings will be made available on the KSC YouTube Channel.

On 2 September 2025, the Trial Panel in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi issued a further order on the scheduling of the Defence case. The Panel set 14 November 2025 as the target date for the completion of the Defence cases of Thaçi and Krasniqi, or one week after the last Defence witness, whichever comes earlier. The Panel also informed all parties to be prepared to file their final briefs, as well as the statement on the impact of the alleged crimes on victims participating in the proceedings, before the start of the winter judicial recess on 22 December 2025. The decision also sets out additional deadlines and procedural directions for the remainder of the Defence case.