Following yesterday’s sentencing of the KLA leaders, Judge Smith opens proceedings for victim compensation

Charles L Smith, presiding judge of the Trial Panel, has issued a decision paving the way for proceedings to compensate victims in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi and Kadri Veseli.

The decision was issued on September 16 and made public today. It stipulates that the Trial Panel will conduct reparations proceedings and issue the relevant order pursuant to Article 22(8) and Rule 168, provided that the Defense raises no objections.

During September and October, the parties must indicate whether they intend to present evidence concerning reparations. The Victims’ Counsel has until October 14, 2026, to submit the specific request, while the SPO and the Defense may respond by November 4.

The operative part of the decision stipulates as follows:

a) The Trial Panel decides to conduct reparations proceedings and issue a reparations order pursuant to Article 22(8) and Rule 168, unless the Defense raises objections;

b) The Defense is ordered to submit any objections on this matter no later than Tuesday, September 22, 2026;

c) The Victims’ Counsel and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) must submit their responses by Friday, September 25, 2026;

d) By Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the Victims’ Counsel must notify the Trial Panel and the parties of any changes to the manner in which evidence will be presented under Rule 168;

e) If the Victims’ Counsel continues to intend to present evidence under Rule 168, the Victims’ Counsel is ordered to submit it by Wednesday, October 7, 2026;

f) The Defense must notify the Trial Panel, the Victims’ Counsel and the SPO by Tuesday, September 22, 2026, if it plans to present any evidence pursuant to Rule 168;

g) The Victims’ Counsel’s request for reparations must be submitted by Wednesday, October 14, 2026;

h) The SPO and the Defense are ordered to respond to this request no later than Wednesday, November 4, 2026;

i) The Registry must reclassify as public the Order of November 6, 2025, the Victims’ Counsel’s submissions of November 17, 2025, and the SPO’s submissions of November 17, 2025, no later than Tuesday, September 22, 2026;

j) By Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the Defense must submit public redacted versions of its submissions of November 17, 2025, or request that they be reclassified.