Kosovo Specialist Chambers Cancels August Hearings in Case Against Thaçi and Others for Offenses Against the Administration of Justice

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers has issued its Third Scheduling Order in the trial of Hashim Thaçi and others, who are accused of criminal offenses against the administration of justice. The order cancels the hearings scheduled for August.

The decision follows a notice filed by Smakaj’s defense on July 30, 2026, pursuant to Rule 131, stating that it would not present evidence at this stage of the proceedings.

The single judge hearing the case removed the hearings scheduled for August 17, 18 and 19, 2026, from the calendar. The deadlines previously set in the Second Scheduling Order were also canceled.

Meanwhile, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) was given until 12:00 p.m. on August 4, 2026, to file a motion if it intends to present rebuttal evidence.

If the SPO does not file such a motion, the evidentiary proceedings will be closed and the case will move to the final stage.

The order also sets the following procedural deadlines:

August 24, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. – submission of final trial briefs, should the parties choose to file them;

September 4, 2026 – submission of responses, if any;

September 10, 11 and 14, 2026 – hearings for the presentation of closing arguments.