The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSCC) in The Hague has made a decision to extend the detention of Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj and Fadil Fazliu, who, together with Hajredin Kuçi, are accused of criminal offenses against the administration of justice.
In separate rulings, pretrial judge Marijorie Masselot said there is a reasonable suspicion that the four defendants committed crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of the Kosovo Criminal Court, reports the Daily Star. "Oath for Justice".
According to decisions taken on October 3, 2025, it was found that the four defendants are at risk of fleeing justice, obstructing proceedings, or committing other crimes.
When we come to the risk of obstruction of proceedings, focusing on Thaçi, the pre-trial judge found that he allegedly was part of the leadership of three groups with which he coordinated to interfere with the testimonies of Prosecution witnesses in the court case against former KLA leaders (Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi).
“…his actions demonstrate persistence in attempting to obstruct the proceedings of the DSK also from within the DSK Detention Center, including by exploiting his influence over former KLA members loyal to him and persons from his political circles, as his co-defendants in this case; (iv) previous findings suggest that, in the past, Mr. Thaçi has attempted to undermine the DSK and, through his circles, has offered benefits to persons who have been summoned by the SPO to provide information; (v) Mr. Thaçi is aware of the charges and evidence against him; and (vi) his heightened awareness of the incriminating evidence against him provides him with an incentive to interfere with witnesses or impede the progress of the proceedings,” the decision against Hashim Thaçi states.
It is also said about Thaçi that although the Prosecution's case in the war crimes trial has ended, this does not eliminate the risk of obstruction of proceedings. In addition, the risk of obstruction of proceedings, according to the judge, is also related to the current case.
Similar to Thaçi, it has been said for the other three defendants that no alternative measure mitigates the existing risks.
The decision states that Kilaj's bail offer of 40 euros, which was also offered at other periodic detention reviews, was rejected. This is said to have happened on the grounds that the defense failed to explain how such a proposal mitigates or eliminates the risk of flight.
Likewise, the defense's argument that Kilaj would not risk leaving his family and fleeing is, according to the pre-trial judge, speculative.
On the other hand, Hajredin Kuçi's defense, through lawyer Alexander Admiraal, has announced that they are ready for trial in this case at the beginning of 2026.
Hashim Thaçi has been in the Detention Center in The Hague since November 2020. He is being tried for war crimes, and last year he was indicted for obstruction of justice.
Regarding the case against the administration of justice, Bashkim Smakaj, Fadil Fazliu and Isni Kilaj were arrested on December 5, 2024 in Kosovo and transferred to the detention facility at the Kosovo Prison Service on December 6, 2024 based on the confirmed indictment and arrest warrants issued by The Hague.
Meanwhile, Thaçi was handed the arrest warrant at the detention facility in The Hague on December 5, 2024, always according to the announcement of the SC.
Meanwhile, Hajredin Kuçi was served with the confirmed indictment and a summons to appear before the pre-trial judge for his first appearance, which was held on December 9.
According to the indictment, Thaçi individually and through joint actions with groups; The Fazliu Group (Fadil Fazliu and Fahri Fazliu), the Smakaj Group (Bashkim Smakaj, Blerim Shala and Artan Behrami) as well as the Kilaj Group (Isni Kilaj and Vllaznim Kryeziu), have followed a pattern of behavior to hinder official persons in the performance of official duties .
The indictment states that Thaçi has led and participated in these efforts through his visits to detention facilities while he was detained as part of his trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It states that the members of the Fazliu Group, the Smakaj Group and the Kilaj Group coordinated to influence the ZPS witnesses during the non-privileged visits on July 2, September 9 and October 6, 2023.
As a result, Thaç is charged with three charges of obstructing an official in the performance of official duties, three charges of breaching the secrecy of the procedure and four charges of disobeying the court.
Meanwhile, Kilaj, Smakaj and Fazliu are accused of attempting to obstruct officials in the performance of official duties and disobedience to the court. Meanwhile, Kuçi has two charges of disobedience to the court. /Telegrafi/
