The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) have confirmed the conditional release of former KLA commander Haxhi Shala, according to a press statement from the Special Court.
The statement says that the President of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC), Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova, decided to modify Haxhi Shala’s sentence, allowing him conditional release under the terms set out in her decision.
According to the ruling, the conditions of release will continue to apply for the remaining three years of his sentence. Haxhi Shala has been released and returned to Kosovo on 10 February 2026, as previously reported by KosovaPress.
In her reasoning, Judge Trendafilova took into account several factors, including signs of rehabilitation shown by Shala, as well as a letter he had sent her in which he expressed remorse toward anyone who may have been harmed by his actions.
Additionally, his positive family relationships, stable living environment, and broad social network were assessed, which, according to the decision, indicate a reasonable prospect of rehabilitation.
The KSC President emphasized that, although the criminal acts for which Shala was convicted are serious, the letter was written on his own initiative, without legal assistance, and after a period of reflection.
“President Trendafilova considered that Mr. Shala had shown signs of rehabilitation and had sent her a letter expressing remorse to all those who may have suffered harm as a result of his actions. She also took into account Mr. Shala’s positive family relationships, stable living environment, and broad social network, which indicate a reasonable prospect of rehabilitation. The President judged that, although the criminal acts for which he was convicted are serious, Mr. Shala wrote the letter on his own initiative and without legal assistance, after a period of reflection. She concluded that his letter reflected a sincere distancing from the criminal acts for which he was convicted,” the statement said.
The decision also notes that procedures for reducing, modifying, or changing a sentence, as provided under Article 51(2) of the KSC Law, are individual procedures. Serving two-thirds of a sentence does not automatically entitle a prisoner to a reduction or modification but merely allows for the consideration of such a possibility.
The full decision has been published by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, KosovaPress reports.
