The Prosecutor v. Sabit Januzi, Ismet Bahtijari, and Haxhi Shala
Case Sheet · KSC
The Prosecutor v. Sabit Januzi, Ismet Bahtijari, and Haxhi Shala
| Case Number | KSC-BC-2023-10 |
| Status | Enforcement of Sentence |
Context
Sabit Januzi, Ismet Bahtijari and Haxhi Shala were charged with offences against the administration of justice. According to the indictment, between 5 and 12 April 2023, at Shala’s direction, Januzi and Bahtijari individually approached a protected KSC witness on two separate occasions in order to induce him to withdraw or refrain from giving evidence, using serious threat and the promise of a benefit. In December 2024, all three entered into plea agreements with the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, admitting guilt to obstructing official persons and intimidation during criminal proceedings. On 4 February 2025, the Trial Panel approved the plea agreements and sentenced Haxhi Shala to 3 years and Januzi and Bahtijari to 2 years each. Additionally, the accused agreed to pay €500 as reparations to the participating victim. This is the KSC’s first case resolved by guilty plea.
Pre-Trial
| Indictment Submitted | Sabit Januzi 11 September 2023 Ismet Bahtijari 11 September 2023 Haxhi Shala 20 November 2023 |
| Indictment Confirmed | Sabit Januzi 2 October 2023 Ismet Bahtijari 2 October 2023 Haxhi Shala 4 December 2023 |
| Amendmed Indictment | 10 July 2024 |
| Crimes at Indictment | Sabit Januzi Crimes against the administration of justice
Obstructing official persons in performing official duties · art. 401(1) KCC Intimidation during criminal proceedings · art. 387 KCC Ismet Bahtijari Crimes against the administration of justice Obstructing official persons in performing official duties · art. 401(1) KCC Intimidation during criminal proceedings · art. 387 KCC Haxhi Shala Crimes against the administration of justice Obstructing official persons in performing official duties · art. 401(1) KCC Intimidation during criminal proceedings · art. 387 KCC |
| Arrest Warrant Issued | Sabit Januzi 2 October 2023 Ismet Bahtijari 2 October 2023 Haxhi Shala 4 December 2023 |
| Arrest | Sabit Januzi 5 October 2023 Ismet Bahtijari 5 October 2023 Haxhi Shala 11 December 2023 |
| Initial Appearance | Sabit Januzi 9 October 2023 · Plea: Not Guilty Ismet Bahtijari 9 October 2023 · Plea: Not Guilty Haxhi Shala 13 December 2023 · Plea: Not Guilty |
| Cases Joined | 8 February 2024 |
| Case Transmitted to Trial Panel | 4 September 2024 · Trial Panel I |
| Guilty Plea(s) Entered | 6 December 2024 |
Trial
| Trial Panel | Trial Panel I · Judges: Judge Mappie Veldt-Foglia (Presiding), Judge Judge Roland Dekkers, Judge Gilbert Bitti, Judge Vladimir Mikula (Reserve Judge) |
| Plea Agreements Approved and Sentence | 27 February 2025 |
| Trial Judgment | [DATE] · [Convicted in part / Convicted on all counts / Acquitted of all charges] |
| Crimes at Trial Judgment | Sabit Januzi Crimes against the administration of justice Obstructing official persons in performing official duties · art. 401(1) KCC Intimidation during criminal proceedings · art. 387 KCC Ismet Bahtijari Crimes against the administration of justice Obstructing official persons in performing official duties · art. 401(1) KCC Intimidation during criminal proceedings · art. 387 KCC Haxhi Shala Crimes against the administration of justice Obstructing official persons in performing official duties · art. 401(1) KCC Intimidation during criminal proceedings · art. 387 KCC |
| Sentence | Sabit Januzi 2 years of imprisonment Ismet Bahtijari 2 years of imprisonment Haxhi Shala 3 years of imprisonment |
| Sentence served | Sabit Januzi 4 October 2025 Ismet Bahtijari 4 October 2025 Haxhi Shala 11 february 2026 |
Reparations
| Reparations Order | 27 February 2025 |
| Amount | Sabit Januzi 100 euros Haxhi Shala 400 euros |
Key Documents
| Arrest Warrant (Januzi) | Arrest Warrant (2023) |
| Arrest Warrant (Bahtijari) | Arrest Warrant (2023) |
| Arrest Warrant (Shala) | Arrest Warrant (2023) |
| Confirmation of Indictment Decision (Januzi and Bahtijari) | Decision on Confirmation of the Indictment (2023) |
| Confirmation of Indictment Decision (Shala) | Decision on Confirmation of the Indictment (2023) |
| Operative Indictment | Operative Indictment (2024) |
| Decision on Joinder | Decision on Joinder of Cases (2024) |
| Judgment on Plea Agreements | Decision Approving Plea Agreements and Imposing Sentences (2025) |
| KSC Case Page | Official KSC page |