The Special Court has confirmed the extension of the deadline for announcing the verdict for the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi.
In the announcement of the Specialized Chambers in The Hague, it was said that July 20 is not the date of the announcement of the judgment, but the date that determines the extended deadline.
“Yes, the Judicial Panel has issued a decision to extend the deadline for the announcement of the Judgment for another 60 days, until Monday, July 20, 2026, due to the complexity of the case. This date is not the date of the announcement of the verdict, but only the date that determines the extended deadline. The Panel added that, if another extension becomes absolutely necessary, it will issue an order to this effect in due course.” the notice says.
The former leaders of the KLA gave their final words on February 18 before the court. They once again pleaded not guilty to all counts of the indictment.
The trial against the KLA foursome started on April 3, 2023 – almost three years after the indictment was confirmed, since when the former KLA leaders have been held in the detention center in The Hague.
“Freedom has a name”: postponement of the verdict in The Hague, extension of injustice
22 o. ago / May 6, 2026 11:59
The organization “Freedom has a name” has reacted after the decision of the Specialized Chambers to postpone the announcement of the judgment in the process against the former leaders of the KLA, considering it as an extension of injustice.
According to this organization, this practice can no longer be seen as a normal judicial procedure, but as a serious degradation of the basic principles of justice for trial within a reasonable time.
“This process, which has been dragging on for years, with repeated postponements, has completely lost its credibility and has already turned into a mechanism that produces continuous injustice. Keeping the former leaders of the KLA for almost six years in detention contradicts every standard of international justice and basic human rights”, the reaction says.
According to this organization, such decisions seriously damage citizens’ trust in international justice institutions, creating the perception of a protracted, unbalanced and irresponsible process.
PDK: The postponement of the verdict for the former leaders of the KLA, a blow to justice and public trust
1 d. ago / May 6, 2026 09:59
The Democratic Party of Kosovo has reacted after the decision of the Special Court to postpone the announcement of the judgment in the judicial process against the former leaders of the KLA.
PDK’s response states that this delay is proof that this protracted process has lost the meaning of justice and has turned into a process influenced by political calculations.
“The latest postponement is another blow to our faith in justice and an added injustice to the former leaders of the KLA, who have been in custody for about five and a half years, turning this measure into a silent punishment imposed through repeated delays,” the announcement states.
The PDK further called on the international community and justice institutions not to allow this process to become an example of the failure of international justice.
“The PDK remains unwavering in its belief in the innocence of the former leaders of the KLA and demands a final decision, without further delays, which will enable their return to Kosovo”, the reaction states further.
