The Prosecutor v. The Specialist Prosecutor v. 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 confirmed | 29 November 2024 (amended 16 April 2025) |
| Crimes at indictment |
Thaçi (11 counts): Attempting to obstruct official persons in performing official duties by common action of a group (3 counts) · art. 401(1) and (2) KCC Violating the secrecy of proceedings (4 counts) · art. 392 KCC Contempt of court (4 counts) · art. 19 LSC Smakaj, Kilaj, Fazliu: Attempted obstruction of official persons in performing official duties · art. 401 KCC Contempt of court · art. 19 LSC Kuçi: Contempt of court (2 counts) · art. 19 LSC |
| Arrests & transfer (Smakaj, Kilaj, Fazliu) | 5 December 2024 (arrested in Kosovo) · transferred 6 December 2024 |
| Arrest warrant served (Thaçi) | 5 December 2024 (served at KSC Detention Facilities) |
| Kuçi (summoned) | Summoned to appear · remains on bail in Kosovo |
| Initial appearances | 8 December 2024 (Thaçi, Smakaj, Fazliu, Kilaj) · 9 December 2024 (Kuçi) |
| Pleas | All five accused: not guilty · Thaçi’s written plea filed 6 January 2025 · Smakaj’s written plea filed 3 January 2025 |
| Case transmitted to Single Trial Judge | 12 November 2025 |
Trial
| Trial opening | 27 February 2026 |
| Prosecution case closed | 13 March 2026 |
| Defence Preparation Conference | 1 April 2026 · Proceedings ongoing |
Key Documents
| Decision on Confirmation of Indictment | Decision on Confirmation of Indictment (2025) |
| Operative Indictment | Operative Indictment (2025) |
| KSC case page | Official KSC page — The Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi et al. (administration of justice) |