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The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague announced today that the verdict for the four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA): Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, will be announced on September 16 of this year.
In a press release, the court said that the panel has decided to postpone the date for the pronouncement of the verdict to September 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
" The Trial Panel explained that the time required for the deliberations had been extended in accordance with the Rules, due to the large volume of evidence received and the complexity of the judicial process, and that this extension was justified by the need to make a reasoned, comprehensive and fair assessment of the case documentation ," the announcement states.
Initially, the Trial Panel had until May 19 to announce the verdict. However, citing the complexity of the case, it decided to extend this deadline until July 20, 2026, and has now finally decided on September 16.
Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi and Selimi are accused of acts such as murder, torture and persecution, allegedly committed during the years 1998-99 during the war for Kosovo's independence from Serbia.
They have denied the charges and have pleaded not guilty to charges involving about 155 victims. Prosecutors have asked that they be found guilty and each sentenced to 45 years in prison for the alleged crimes.
Over 130 witnesses testified, while 160 other witness statements were received in writing in this trial over three years of sessions. Their trial ended in February, while they have been held in custody in The Hague since their arrest in 2020.
The previous decision to postpone the date of the verdict was criticized as "unreasonable" in Kosovo, and a final long postponement like this is expected to spark criticism again.
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