The Kosovo Specialist Chambers have rejected the request submitted by Haxhi Shala for a reduction of his sentence, despite the fact that he has already served two-thirds of the term imposed on him. The decision was issued on 11 December 2025 by the President of the Specialist Chambers, Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova, Ekonomia Online reported.
According to Judge Trendafilova, one of the decisive reasons for denying Shala’s request was his failure to express remorse for the crimes for which he had been convicted.
In the official statement, the Specialist Chambers clarified that procedures regarding sentence reduction or modification are strictly individual and that meeting the formal requirement—having served two-thirds of a sentence—does not automatically entitle a convicted person to a reduced sentence.
The court emphasized that, in reaching the decision, the President consulted the judges of the panel that originally handed down the sentence, as required by Article 51(2) of the Law on the Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, and considered all the factors listed under Rule 196(3) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
Judge Trendafilova noted specifically that Shala had not demonstrated remorse, adding that a potential reconsideration of the request could be reviewed in two months’ time.
The Chambers reiterated that although serving two-thirds of a sentence qualifies a prisoner for review, it does not guarantee a reduction, modification, or alteration of the punishment.
