The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague has decided to extend the pre-trial detention of former President Hashim Thaçi, who, along with Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi, and Kadri Veseli, is charged with fraudulent “war crimes and crimes against humanity”.
The decision was made on December 10, 2025, by the presiding judge, Charles Smith III.
Thaçi’s detention has been extended for an additional two months, as the court determined there is a risk he could obstruct proceedings or “commit further crimes in this area”.
In the ongoing trial of the former KLA leaders, the defense for Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi has officially completed the presentation of their evidence.
The defense began presenting its evidence on September 15, 2025. Over three consecutive days, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Rubin testified. He was followed by Paul Williams, former legal advisor to the Albanian delegation at Rambouillet. Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark’s political advisor, John Stewart Duncan, testified on September 22–23, 2025.
On September 30, James Peter Covey, former UN Deputy Representative in Kosovo under Bernard Kouchner, began his testimony, concluding on October 2. Later, U.S. diplomat Christopher Hill testified from November 10–12, 2025. Michael Durkee, political advisor to Wesley Clark, testified on November 12–13, and Wesley Clark himself testified on November 17–18, 2025.
In support of the former KLA leaders on trial in The Hague, four protests were held in Prishtina, The Hague, Tirana, and Strasbourg.
The Special Prosecutor’s Office announced on April 15, 2025, that it had completed its presentation of evidence in this case.
The defense also filed a motion under Rule 130, which allows requests to dismiss certain charges entirely. The decision on this motion was issued on July 16, 2025. According to presiding judge Charles Smith III, the defense sought dismissal of war crimes allegations related to incidents before May 1998 and after June 20, 1999.
“The panel notes that the incidents and events contested by the defense do not constitute charges under the meaning of Rule 130,” Judge Smith said. Consequently, the motion was rejected, as the court does not have the authority to remove materials constituting charges based on temporal grounds.
On the same day, the victims’ defense presented its evidence, calling two expert witnesses whose testimony continued on July 16–17, 2025, concluding the presentation of victim defense witnesses.
The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office submitted the confirmed amended indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi on September 30, 2022, consisting of ten counts charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
On April 29, 2022, the office had filed a previous amended indictment claiming that the four accused committed war crimes in Gjilan, Budakovë, and Semetishtë.
On November 9, 2020, in their initial appearances, Jakup Krasniqi and Hashim Thaçi pleaded not guilty, as did Kadri Veseli on November 10 and Rexhep Selimi on November 11.
The indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi was confirmed on October 26, 2020.
