Live update

On 31 January 2025, Trial Panel II and the Pre-trial Judge denied a request for temporary release on compassionate grounds of Hashim Thaҫi. The decisions were based on the circumstances of Mr. Thaci’s father at the time the request was made, two weeks ago.

The public redacted versions of these decisions were filed on 11 and 12 February and are available here and here. The legal framework of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers allows detained persons to make requests for a custodial visit to Kosovo when there are compelling humanitarian grounds. The relevant judges decide on any such requests, based on the information provided at the time a request is made.

SPO witness Syleman Selimi continued his testimony today. He is currently being cross-examined by the Veseli Defence. 

Please be informed that, as announced by the Panel, the first session will last until 12:00, followed by a 10-minute break, and the second session will continue until 13:00. After that, the trial will follow its usual schedule, with a lunch break from 13:00 to 14:30, and then regular sessions until 16:30.

The start of the hearing in the Thaçi et al. case this morning, 12 February, is further delayed and is now set to begin at 11:00 (or at 11:45 via the delayed feed online).

Please be informed that the start of the hearing in the Thaçi et al. case this morning, 12 February, will be delayed and is expected to commence at 10:00 (or at 10:45 via the delayed feed online).

The testimony of the SPO’s 121st witness Sylejman Selimi resumed this morning.

Following the completion of the testimony of the witness W00542, the SPO called Sylejman Selimi as its next witness today.  A counsel has been appointed to assist the witness, ensuring he can seek guidance regarding any potential self-incrimination issues. In response to a request from the witness, the Panel, in accordance with Rule 151, assured the witness that his evidence would not be used against him in any subsequent prosecution before the KSC. When asked by the Panel, Selimi indicated his preference for his testimony to be conducted in an open session.

New SPO witness is W00542, whose testimony is conducted via video-link. As per SPO summary in court, this witness and his relative were in June 1999 abducted by armed men wearing uniforms with KLA insignia and taken to a detention location, where they were both interrogated and mistreated.

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

Another KSC weekly press briefing will take place on Thursday, 6 February, 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.

Today, 4 February 2025, the Trial Panel in the Sabit Januzi, Ismet Bahtijari and Haxhi Shala case approved the plea agreements reached between the SPO and the three accused in this case. In line with the agreements, the Panel also imposed sentences: Haxhi Shala was sentenced to 3 years while Januzi and Bahtijari were each sentenced to 2 years. More information can be found in the Press Release.