The submission of evidence has officially concluded in the judicial proceedings against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), where Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi, and Kadri Veseli stand accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
According to Betimi për Drejtësi, the defense teams of Thaçi and Krasniqi formally notified the court on 2 December 2025 that they had completed presenting their evidence. This marks a key procedural milestone in a high-profile case that has dominated political and legal debate in Kosovo and beyond.
Defense Evidence Phase Closed
The defense began presenting its evidence on 15 September 2025, starting with a three-day testimony by James Rubin, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State.
Following Rubin, several high-level international witnesses were called:
- Paul Williams, former legal adviser to the Albanian delegation at Rambouillet
- John Stewart Duncan, former political adviser to NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Wesley Clark (testified 22–23 September)
- James Peter Covey, former Deputy UN Special Representative in Kosovo (testified 30 September–2 October)
- Christopher Hill, former U.S. diplomat (testified 10–12 November)
- Michael Durkee, former political adviser to Gen. Clark (testified 12–13 November)
- Gen. Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander (testified 17–18 November)
These testimonies were seen by the defense as essential in contextualizing the conflict in Kosovo and challenging the prosecution’s narrative.
Prosecution Phase Concluded Earlier
The Prosecution had already announced that it completed its submission of evidence on 15 April 2025, closing its case several months before the defense began presenting its own.
Public Protests Across Europe
The trial has continued to spark strong public reactions and widespread solidarity. Four major protests were held in support of the former KLA leaders:
- Prishtina
- The Hague
- Tirana
- Strasbourg
These demonstrations reflected the deep political and emotional significance of the case for Kosovars, many of whom see the defendants as key figures in the fight for Kosovo’s liberation.
