The Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu, and Hajredin Kuçi
Case Sheet · KSC
The Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu, and Hajredin Kuçi
| Case Number | KSC-BC-2024-01 |
| Status | Trial Stage |
Context
This case concerns alleged offences against the administration of justice arising from the principal war crimes trial (KSC-BC-2020-06). According to the indictment, between at least 12 April 2023 and 2 November 2023, Hashim Thaçi, during non-privileged visits to the KSC Detention Facilities, provided Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi with confidential information about protected witnesses, instructed them to influence those witnesses’ testimonies, and coordinated three distinct groups to that end. Thaçi is charged with 11 counts; Smakaj, Kilaj and Fazliu are charged with attempted obstruction and contempt of court; Kuçi is charged with contempt of court. All five accused have pleaded not guilty. The trial opened on 27 February 2026 and the prosecution closed its case on 13 March 2026.
Pre-Trial
| Indictment Submitted | 15 December 2023 |
| Indictment Confirmed | 29 November 2024 |
| Crimes at Indictment | Hashim Thaçi Crimes against the administration of justice Attempting to obstruct official persons in performing official duties by common action of a group · art. 401(1) and (2) KCC Violating the secrecy of proceedings · art. 392 KCC Contempt of court · art. 19 LSC Bashkim Smakaj Crimes against the administration of justice Attempting to obstruct official persons in performing official duties by common action of a group · art. 401(1) and (2) KCC Contempt of court · art. 19 LSC Isni Kilaj Crimes against the administration of justice Attempting to obstruct official persons in performing official duties by common action of a group · art. 401(1) and (2) KCC Contempt of court · art. 19 LSC Fadil Fazliu Crimes against the administration of justice Attempting to obstruct official persons in performing official duties by common action of a group · art. 401(1) and (2) KCC Contempt of court · art. 19 LSC Hajredin Kuçi Crimes against the administration of justice Contempt of court · art. 19 LSC |
| Arrest | Hashim Thaçi Under KSC detention at the time of the indictment Bashkim Smakaj 5 December 2024 Isni Kilaj 2 November 2023 Fadil Fazliu 5 December 2024 Hajredin Kuçi 5 December 2024 |
| Initial Appearance | Hashim Thaçi 8 December 2024 · No Plea Bashkim Smakaj 8 December 2024 · No Plea Isni Kilaj 4 November 2023 8 December 2024 · Plea: Not Guilty Fadil Fazliu 8 December 2024 · Plea: Not Guilty Hajredin Kuçi 8 December 2024 · Plea: Not Guilty |
| Case Transmitted | 12 November 2025· Single Judge |
Trial
| Trial Panel | Single Judge · Judge Christopher Gosnell |
| Trial Opening | 27 February 2026 |
Key Documents
| Confirmation of Indictment Decision | Decision on Confirmation of the Indictment (2024) |
| Operative Indictment | Operative Indictment (2025) |
| KSC Case Page | Official KSC page |