Kosovo Specialist Chambers update – Trial Judgement 16 December 2022

16 December 2022: Kosovo Specialist Chambers Trial Panel I finds Salih Mustafa guilty of the war crimes of arbitrary detention, torture, and murder with a prison sentence of 26 years. This is the Kosovo Specialist Chambers' first judgement in a war crimes case. His crimes took place at a compound in the village of Zllash/Zlaš, …

Kosovo Specialist Chambers update: 18 May 2022

18 May 2022: KSC Trial Panel II pronounces its Trial Judgment in the case against Hysni Gucati and Qasim Haradinaj, finding them both guilty of obstructing official persons in performing official duties, intimidation during criminal proceedings, and violating the secrecy of proceedings. The accused violated the secrecy of the proceedings by revealing confidential court materials …

Kosovo Specialist Chambers update: 8 November 2021

8 November 2021: Former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj maintained their innocence on charges of obstruction of justice and witness intimidation, claiming that it is their right and obligation to protect the people of Kosovo. The men were arrested in September on allegations of leaking Kosovo Specialist Chambers case file …

Kosovo Specialist Chambers update: 16 October 2021

16 October 2021: The trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj began on October 7 on charges of obstructing the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office and intimidating and retaliating against witnesses.Specialist Prosecutor Jack Smith emphasizes the “fair administration of justice” within the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC), and admonishes the climate of …

Kosovo Specialist Chambers update 14 – 21 September 2021

14 September 2021: The first trial before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in the case of Salih Mustafa is set to open on 15 September 2021.Mr. Mustafa is charged with four counts of war crimes alleged to have occurred in April 1999 at the Zllash detention compound: arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture, and murder.Thus far …

KOSOVO SPECIALIST CHAMBERS update: 20 November-3 December 2020

26 November:Judge Ekatarina Trendafilova is reappointed for a four-year term as president of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. The new term will commence on 15 December, the day after her current term ends. Via KSC. 30 November:  A pre-trial judge of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers publish a decision confirming the indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and …

KOSOVO SPECIALIST CHAMBERS update: 3 December 2020 – 17 March 2021

9 December:An interlocutory appeal filed by Hysni Gucati was rejected by the Panel of the Court of Appeals Chamber of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. Despite finding that Gucati’s arrest warrant was incorrectly based upon a specific provision of the law, the Chamber nevertheless held that the Single Judge was permitted to issue the warrant prior …

Kosovo Specialist Chambers: Update for 5-19 November 2020

4-5 November: Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi are transferred to the Detention Facilities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The indictments and redacted arrest warrants are also made available at this time. The indictment states several different specific war crimes and crimes against humanity.  (Via the KSC)Additionally, the KSC opens the application …

KOSOVO SPECIALIST CHAMBERS update: 1 October – 5 November 2020

4 November: Ongoing operations in Pristina by the Specialist Prosecutor’s office. More information will become available over time. (Via KSC)Jakup Krasniqi is transferred to The Hague. The former Kosovo Liberation Army spokesman is arrested and transferred to The Hague, facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. (Via Reuters) 5 November: Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, a leader during Kosovo’s war …

Kosovo Specialist Chambers: Update for 1 June-1 October 2020

2 June: Amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Evidence enter into force as approved by the Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court on 26 May 2020. (Via the KSC)24 June: The KSC adds additional names to the Lists of Counsel who are eligible to appear before the Chambers. (Via the KSC)24 June: The KSC releases a press release regarding …