Kosovo is counting down the hours to one of the most important and sensitive judicial decisions of the post-war period. On Wednesday, September 16, at 10:00, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague will begin announcing the first-instance verdict for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi.
Të lidhura
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The session will be open to the public and the broadcast will be provided live in Albanian, English, and Serbian through the Specialist Chambers’ official website. The reading of the verdict is expected to last about two hours, until approximately noon.
During this session, it is not expected that the entire verdict will necessarily be read. In such cases, the presiding judge typically summarizes the main findings and then announces the court’s position on each count of the indictment and for each of the accused.
The verdict to be made public is first-instance. Whatever the outcome, the parties will have the opportunity to appeal.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, citizens from Kosovo and various European countries arrived in The Hague. Among the symbols displayed at the site are Albanian national flags, Kosovo flags, and KLA symbols.
Some participants have stated they will spend the night outside, near the court building, awaiting the verdict. War veteran organizations have announced that citizens from Kosovo and the diaspora are expected to gather in The Hague.
Around the building, Dutch police have increased security measures and have urged those present to stay in designated areas. By evening, no serious incidents had been reported.
In Prishtina, the vigil has been accompanied by the lighting of the “Flame of Freedom”. Citizens have gathered in front of a large screen displaying portraits of Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi, and Krasniqi, while some of them have warned they will stay in the square all night.
Right there, they are expected to watch the broadcast of the session from The Hague in a group. Gatherings and support activities have been held or announced in Skenderaj, Mitrovica, and other towns. In Skopje, a march was held for former KLA leaders, while reactions have also come from political representatives in Albania and diaspora organizations.
Family members of the accused have also traveled to The Hague. Former deputy Abelard Tahiri posted footage from the road, where he appeared together with Endrit Thaçi, the son of Hashim Thaçi.
PDK Secretary General Vlora Çitaku announced from The Hague that she was there awaiting the decision. The participation of Glauk Konjufca has also been announced. Likewise, representatives of war organizations, former fighters, activists, and diaspora citizens have traveled to The Hague.
The court has not published the full list of personalities and family members who will be allowed into the courtroom. The gallery of the building has limited capacity, while entry is only permitted to persons pre-registered and provided with official confirmation.
Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi are accused of six counts of crimes against humanity and four counts of war crimes. The indictment includes charges of persecution, imprisonment, torture, unlawful murder, and enforced disappearance.
The prosecution alleges that these acts were committed at several locations in Kosovo and northern Albania, in the period from March 1998 to September 1999. All four accused have rejected the charges and pleaded not guilty.
The trial began on April 3, 2023. During it, 134 witnesses testified, of whom 125 were called by the Prosecution, two by the victims’ advocate, and seven by the defense teams. The court admitted the participation of 156 victims.
The presentation of evidence concluded in December 2025, while closing arguments took place in February 2026.
Family members and supporters hope for an acquittal, but the content of the verdict will only be known when it is announced by the Trial Panel. Until then, the wait continues amid hope, anxiety, and civic mobilization in The Hague, Prishtina, the Albanian lands, and the diaspora.
Everyone’s attention is now focused on 10:00 on September 16, when the verdict will begin to be announced.
