September is expected to be one of the most important months for the judicial proceedings taking place before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
On September 16, 2026, the verdict is scheduled to be delivered in the trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
The Organization of KLA War Veterans (OVL-UÇK) says it has been waiting for the conclusion of the proceedings for a long time.
Gazmend Syla, a representative of the OVL-UÇK, told Telegrafi that the organization expects the verdict to be based on evidence and facts and expressed hope that it will result in acquittals.
“We, as an organization and as war veterans, have been waiting for this decision for a long time. The process has been excessively prolonged, as it has now been six years since our comrades were detained without a final verdict. We are eagerly awaiting the decision, and we want to believe it will be an acquittal,” Syla said.
However, he expressed concern over the way the court has conducted its proceedings since its establishment, saying that this has raised doubts within the organization about the possible outcome.
Syla also raised concerns about the possibility of political considerations influencing the verdict.
“We are also concerned about the possibility of another decision, perhaps a political one. Considering how this court has deviated from the purpose for which it was established, we have questioned whether it has moved away from its original mission,” he said.
He added that the organization believes that if the verdict is based strictly on evidence and facts, the former KLA leaders could return home.
“If this decision is based on evidence and facts, our comrades will return to their homes. Otherwise, if there is a political decision, we believe the outcome will be negative,” Syla said.
Meanwhile, the OVL-UÇK is expected to discuss its next steps during a meeting of its leadership on August 25.
“On August 25, the leadership of the OVL-UÇK will meet, and we will keep the public and media informed about the steps that will be taken from this point forward. Until then, the organization has not made a decision,” Syla concluded.
