The final phase of the high-profile trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi begins today at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, with the testimony of the first defense witness.
James Rubin, who served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State during the Kosovo war, is expected to take the stand at 9:00 a.m. The hearing will be broadcast to the public with a 45-minute delay on the court’s official website. Registered media and attendees will be able to follow the proceedings from the gallery, where no electronic devices are permitted.
Thaçi’s Defense Strategy
This marks the start of Thaçi’s defense case, which plans to bring forward around 11 witnesses. Following Thaçi, the defense of former Kosovo Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi will present its witnesses.
Alongside Thaçi and Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli (former Assembly Speaker) and Rexhep Selimi (former MP) are also on trial. Their legal teams, however, have chosen not to present separate defense witnesses.
The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) accuses the four of being part of a “joint criminal enterprise” and has charged them with alleged war crimes.
Prosecution vs. Defense
The defense teams of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA/UCK) leaders have denied all charges, arguing that the KLA did not operate under a centralized command structure.
The SPO closed its case earlier this year after presenting 125 live witnesses and relying on over 130 written testimonies. In contrast, the defense is expected to present far fewer witnesses, focusing on challenging the credibility and narrative of the prosecution.
Timeline of the Case
The indictment against Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi, and Selimi was made public in autumn 2020. Since then, they have been held at the detention center in Scheveningen, The Hague.
The trial formally began in April 2023. Judges have set December 22, 2025, as the deadline for the defense to submit its final written submissions.
