The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague has notified the parties that September 15, 2025, is the target date for the defense teams of former UÇK leaders—Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi—to begin presenting their evidence.
Defense’s Arguments for a Delay
The decision follows a request from the defense teams of Thaçi and Krasniqi, who argued that the initial August 25 deadline did not provide enough time for them to adequately prepare their cases. They specifically cited the need for more time to obtain permissions for witnesses under Rule 107. The prosecution supported the postponement, noting it would also give them more time to prepare for the defense’s case.
The court, however, noted that the defense had been aware since October 2022 that the testimony of some of its key witnesses would require authorization. Despite this criticism, the court agreed to the postponement to allow the process to proceed smoothly. The official start date will be formally set during a preparatory conference on August 19, 2025.
Prior Proceedings and Allegations
- Prosecution’s Case: The prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence on April 15, 2025.
- Motions to Dismiss: A motion by the defense to dismiss certain charges was rejected on July 16, 2025. The motion argued against claims related to incidents that occurred before May 1998 and after June 20, 1999, but the court ruled it lacked the authority to dismiss the material based on a time-based challenge.
- Victims’ Counsel: The victims’ counsel concluded its evidence presentation with two expert witnesses on July 17, 2025.
- The Indictment: The confirmed and amended indictment against the four accused was filed on September 30, 2022. It charges them with ten counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The accused have all pleaded not guilty.