Live update

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

Following direct examination by the SPO and cross-examination by the Defence teams of Thaçi (yesterday) and Smakaj (this morning), witness Christopher Kelly completed his testimony today. He was the last SPO witness to testify in court.
Following the witness’s testimony, the parties addressed scheduling matters and the next steps in the proceedings. In an oral order, the Single Judge set the following deadlines, among others:
•    The SPO is to close its case by 18 March 2026.
•    The Defence teams are to file any Rule 130 notifications (dismissal of charges) by 19 March 2026. Any motion in support of such notifications is to be filed by 25 March 2026.
•    The SPO is to file its response to any such motions by 1 April 2026.

Tomorrow’s hearing (6 March) is cancelled and the trial is adjourned until further notice.
 

Due to the absence of one of the Defence teams, the hearing went on a break shortly after it began this morning. The proceedings are expected to resume at 10:25 (11:10 in the online stream).

Following cross-examination by the Defence teams of Smakaj, Kilaj and Thaçi, witness Koen Herlaar completed his testimony today. The SPO then called its third witness, Christopher Kelly, who is currently a part-time contractor for the SPO (digital forensic investigations).

The SPO’s second witness, Koen Herlaar, resumed his testimony this morning. Following the completion of the SPO’s direct examination yesterday, the Defence for Bashkim Smakaj began its cross-examination, which continued this morning.

During today’s hearing, 3 March 2026, Single Trial Judge Gosnell issued an oral order on the request by Kilaj, Smakaj, Fazliu and Kuçi to vary certain conditions of their provisional release.

Judge Gosnell ordered that the four accused may communicate with one another while on the KSC premises in The Hague, including in relation to their case, provided that no confidential matters are discussed in public areas of the premises. All other aspects of the previous orders remain unchanged. The written reasons will follow in due course.

Today’s hearing is adjourned and the trial resumes tomorrow, Wednesday, 4 March, at 09:30, when the current witness, Koen Herlaar, is expected to resume his testimony.

On 27 February 2026, the Defence for Kadri Veseli filed a public redacted version of its final trial brief, which was initially submitted confidentially on 19 January 2026. The filing is available in the Public Court Records.

The testimony of the SPO’s second witness commenced this morning. This is Koen Herlaar, who works at the Netherlands Forensic Institute. 

On 26 February 2026, the Defence of Isni Kilaj filed a public redacted version of its pre-trial brief.
As previously announced, the pre-trial briefs of the SPO and the Defence teams for Thaçi, Smakaj and Fazliu are already available and can be accessed via this link.

Following cross-examination by the Defence teams of Thaçi, Smakaj, Fazliu and Kilaj, the first SPO witness concluded his testimony today. The hearing was then adjourned. The trial resumes tomorrow, when the testimony of the SPO’s second witness is expected.