The Hague appeals panel rules on defense teams’ request in the Thaçi and others case

The Appeals Panel of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has partially granted the request by the defense teams of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi to expand the word limit for notices of appeal against the judgment.

KSC spokesperson Michael Doyle announced that the decision was issued on October 28, 2026. Notices of appeal must be submitted by November 27, 2026.

The parties will then have 60 days to submit their full appeal briefs. Under the KSC Law and Rules of Procedure, an appeal may be brought on the basis of alleged errors in the assessment of facts or in the application of the law.

One day earlier, on October 27, the Trial Panel had granted the Defense’s request to increase the permitted word limit for the joint response concerning the request for compensation.

On October 26, the Trial Panel ordered that less-redacted versions of the transcripts of testimony by 14 witnesses be made public. The decision came after the publication of the testimony of 20 other witnesses, which had until then been confidential.

The KSC stated that these measures demonstrate its commitment to transparency in judicial proceedings while also protecting victims and witnesses.

The judgment in the case of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi was announced on September 16, 2026.