On 4 and 5 November 2020, four figures of Kosovo’s political scene were arrested and transferred to The Hague: Jakup Krasniqi, Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi. Krasniqi was detained on 4 November. A day later, on 5 November, Thaçi, Veseli and Selimi were detained at EULEX offices.
The arrest of the former KLA leaders marked the start of a judicial process that continues today at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, with two key deadlines during November and graffiti in Pristina on the sixth anniversary of the event. That same day, Thaçi announced his resignation from the post of President of Kosovo.
He had been informed of the confirmation of the indictment against him. The indictment against the four former leaders was confirmed on 26 October 2020. At their first appearances before the court, all of them pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The trial began on 3 April 2023, more than two years after the arrests. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague is reviewing this case, while the November deadlines set the next steps for the parties. The arrest of the former KLA leaders and the appeal of the judgment remain at the centre of attention, while graffiti in Pristina expresses support for them.
Hashim Thaçi, former President of Kosovo, is among the main accused in this process. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has set 27 November as the deadline for notices of appeal, while on 17 November the verdict is expected to be announced in another case related to the administration of justice, in which Hashim Thaçi is charged together with Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi.
These two dates are essential for the future of the judicial proceedings in The Hague. The appeal of the judgment and the arrest of the former KLA leaders continue to draw the attention of public opinion in Kosovo and beyond. The graffiti in Pristina, placed near the embassies of Germany and France, carries the message: “2191 days – History cannot be imprisoned”.
This message comes in solidarity with them, who were sentenced to 81 years in prison under the first-instance judgment, which is not final. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague will examine the issues raised by the parties in the appeal of the judgment. The Appeals Panel, composed of Michèle Picard, Kai Ambos and Nina Jørgensen, will examine the issues raised by the parties.
In conclusion, the court may confirm, amend or overturn the judgment, while in certain circumstances it may also order a retrial. Thus, the month of November brings two important dates for the judicial proceedings in The Hague: 17 November for the announcement of the decision in the case on the administration of justice, and 27 November, when the deadline for notices of appeal of the war crimes judgment expires.