September 16, 2026 has entered history as the day when one of the most consequential decisions for Kosovo’s recent past is expected to be announced. The Specialist Chambers based in The Hague will deliver the first-instance judgment for four senior figures of the former Kosovo Liberation Army: Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.

The session is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to last about two hours. Due to broadcasting rules, the courtroom video and audio will be distributed in Kosovo’s territory with a ten-minute delay. High-level executive representatives are expected to be present in the courtroom, such as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca, and Andin Hoti, the minister responsible for Labour, Family, and the Values of the Liberation War.

The judgment comes after an investigative and judicial process that has lasted nearly six years. The four former commanders face serious charges, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. They themselves have pleaded not guilty to all counts of the indictment. The prosecution has argued that the defendants had sufficient authority to be part of a joint criminal enterprise, while the defense teams insist that the KLA was a dispersed guerrilla force and that decision-making was often in the hands of local commanders.

On the eve of the conclusion of this judicial saga, hundreds of citizens from Kosovo, the diaspora, and Albanian-inhabited territories have traveled to the Netherlands. Near the headquarters of the Specialist Chambers, since Tuesday evening, supporters have waved red-and-black flags and the state flag of Kosovo, holding banners and portraits of the accused. Dutch police have reinforced deployments around the area to ensure public order.

Kosovo’s capital has also reflected the same atmosphere of anticipation. In Skanderbeg Square in Pristina, what is being called the ‘Night of Waiting’ was organized, where numerous citizens stayed throughout the night in front of a giant screen displaying the faces of Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi. Support activities have not been limited to Pristina alone; gatherings and marches have been announced or held in Skenderaj, Mitrovica, and as far as Skopje.

During the process that began on April 3, 2023, a total of 134 witnesses have testified in court, most of them called by the Prosecution. The process has also included 156 victims officially recognized by the court. The presentation of evidence ended at the end of 2025, while the closing arguments of the parties were heard in February of last year.

Although the hope of family members and sympathizers is for an acquittal, the exact content of the case file remains unknown until it is read by the trial panel. Nevertheless, regardless of the outcome this Wednesday, all parties will have the right to appeal this first-instance judgment. The eyes of the entire Albanian public opinion remain focused on 10:00 a.m. on September 16.

The post Today the verdict for Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi and Selimi is handed down amid great anticipation in The Hague and Kosovo appeared first on Albeu.com.

Only a few hours remain until one of the most important and sensitive judicial decisions for Kosovo in the post-war period.

On Wednesday, September 16, starting at 10:00, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague will deliver the first-instance verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.

The hearing will be public and will be followed live on the official website of the Specialist Chambers, in Albanian, English and Serbian. According to pre-hearing announcements, the delivery of the verdict is expected to last about two hours, until approximately noon.

This duration does not mean the court will read the entire judgment document. In such cases, the presiding judge usually summarizes the main findings and then announces the decision on each count of the indictment and for each accused.

Wednesday’s decision will be a first-instance judgment and, whatever the outcome, the parties will be able to file an appeal.

Supporters gather in The Hague

On Tuesday, citizens from Kosovo and various European countries arrived in The Hague. Footage from the area near the court showed Albanian flags, Kosovo flags and KLA symbols.

Some participants have said they will await the decision overnight near the court building, even in the open air. War veterans’ organizations have announced that citizens from Kosovo and the diaspora are expected to gather in The Hague.

Dutch police forces have increased security measures in the area and have urged those present to stay in designated spaces. As of the evening, no serious incidents have been reported.

Pristina awaits the verdict with “The Night of Waiting”

Preparations have also been made in Pristina to follow the verdict. In the capital, the “Flame of Freedom” has been lit, while citizens have gathered in front of a large screen displaying portraits of Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi.

Participants have said they intend to stay in the square throughout the night. The live broadcast of the hearing from The Hague is expected to be followed jointly from the same location.

Activities in support of the former KLA leaders have been held or announced also in Skenderaj, Mitrovica and other towns. A march was held in Skopje, while political representatives in Albania and diaspora organizations have also expressed support.

Family members and political figures head to The Hague

Among those traveling to The Hague are family members of the accused. Former MP Abelard Tahiri posted footage of his journey together with Endrit Thaçi, the son of Hashim Thaçi.

Vlora Çitaku, Secretary General of PDK, announced from The Hague that she is there to await the decision. It has also been reported that Glauk Konjufca is expected to be present. Representatives of war organizations, former fighters, activists and members of the diaspora have also headed to The Hague.

The court has not published the final list of family members and personalities who will be allowed into the courtroom. Places in its gallery are limited, and entry is only possible for persons registered in advance and with official confirmation.

Charges examined by the Court

Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi are charged with six counts of crimes against humanity and four counts of war crimes. The indictment includes, among others, persecution, imprisonment, torture, unlawful killing and enforced disappearance.

The prosecution claims these acts were committed in several locations in Kosovo and northern Albania, from March 1998 to September 1999.

All the accused have rejected the prosecution’s allegations and pleaded not guilty.

The trial began on April 3, 2023. A total of 134 witnesses testified, of whom 125 were called by the Prosecution, two by the victims’ counsel and seven by the defence teams. The proceedings included 156 victims admitted by the Court. The presentation of evidence concluded in December 2025, and closing statements were given in February 2026.

Awaiting the decisive hour

Family members and supporters hope the verdict will be acquittal, but the outcome of the case will only be known when the Trial Panel formally delivers the judgment.

Meanwhile, the hours before the hearing are marked by waiting, uncertainty and citizen mobilization. In The Hague, Pristina, the Albanian lands and the diaspora, attention is focused on 10:00 on September 16.

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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.

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.

The post The Hague ruling at 10:00, Kosovo and the diaspora await the verdict against Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi appeared first on Albeu.com.