Hashim Thaci will face trial in Kosovo’s Specialised Chambers at The Hague on Tuesday, November 17th. In the separate process for alleged obstruction of justice and influence of witnesses, the Specialised Prosecutor has sought his sentence of six years in prison, while the defence has sought his innocence, the Signal newspaper reports.
The announcement of the act is scheduled for 10:00 and will be held at the public hearing.
Besides former President Thaci, the process also charges former director of the Kosovo Agency for Intelligence, the Smaj Union, the former head of Malisheva, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and former Justice Minister Hajredin Kuci.
What does the prosecution claim?
According to the indictment, Thaci is suspected that during the period of April 2023, he has forwarded some of the co-accused confidential information to witnesses of the Specialised Prosecutor.
The prosecution claims that these information was used in an effort to influence the evidence of persons expected to testify in the next court process to Thaci and other former KLA leaders.
In this case, Thaci faces three counts of prosecution for trying to prevent official persons from performing tasks, four for violations of the procedure’s secrecy and four for disobeying the tribunal.
The prosecution seeks six years in prison for Thaci, three years for Smakaj, Cilayn and Fazliu, and nine months in prison for Kuci.
The prosecution has also demanded that the time spent in custody not be counted to Thaci in the eventual sentence on this issue.
What is opposed to defense?
Thaci’s defence has rejected the prosecution’s claims, arguing that his guilt has not been proven and demanding a free trial.
The case the court has to decide is whether the evidence administered during the trial proves criminal responsibility for acts each of the five indictees is charged with.
The trial process has begun on February 27th 2026, while testing has ended on August 5th. After final words, the case is closed on September 14th.
What is expected Tuesday?
The only Judge, Christopher Gosnell, is expected to announce the first degree trial for each of the five defendants.
The decision will determine whether they are convicted or acquitted of charges and, in case of conviction, what sentences will be imposed.
This is the process shared by the war crimes trial against Thaci and other former KLA leaders.
Tuesday’s session will be broadcast on the official site of Specialised Chambers, in Albanian, English and Serbian, with a brief technical delay.
Until a final decision, the accused enjoy presumption of innocence on charges that are the subject of this process.
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Source Layer: Signal
