Forensic linguistics expert Helen Fraser has stated that Special Prosecutor Joshua Hafetz applied pressure and coercion during her questioning yesterday to make her accept that Artificial Intelligence tools were essential to her assessments.

She made these remarks after the prosecutor’s insistence on further details regarding her use of Artificial Intelligence while testifying in the trial against Hashim Thaci, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu, and Hajredin Kuci, who are accused of criminal offenses against the administration of justice.

The witness stated that Artificial Intelligence tools were not the basis of her conclusions, but merely illustrative aids that helped her in her work.

Forensic linguistics expert Helen Fraser has stated that Special Prosecutor Joshua Hafetz applied pressure and coercion during her questioning yesterday to make her accept that Artificial Intelligence tools were essential to her assessments.

She made these remarks after the prosecutor’s insistence on further details regarding her use of Artificial Intelligence while testifying in the trial against Hashim Thaci, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu, and Hajredin Kuci, who are accused of criminal offenses against the administration of justice.

The witness stated that Artificial Intelligence tools were not the basis of her conclusions, but merely illustrative aids that helped her in her work.

Hafetz: “Yesterday you said several times that you believe the use of the artificial intelligence model was essential for the findings of your report...” 

Fraser: “That is what you said, and I tried to clarify that I do not consider it to have been the basis of my assessment and conclusions. I also say here today that I believe it served merely as an illustration and helped me as a secondary element in making my assessment,” she said.

The prosecutor, Joshua Hafetz, later questioned the expert’s previous statements regarding the importance of AI in her assessments.

In response, Fraser rejected the prosecution’s interpretation, stating that the terms used were not hers and that she was being pressured to accept them.

Hafetz: “Are you now saying that yesterday you did not state that artificial intelligence results were not primary or essential for your assessment?” 

Fraser: “No, that is a term you used and you are putting pressure on me to accept it...” 

Hafetz: “Are you saying you lied yesterday?”

Fraser: “No, I am not saying I lied.” 

Previously, the Australian expert stated that due to not knowing the Albanian language, her evaluation was more limited.

The forensic linguistics expert, Helen Fraser, who is a defence witness, also stated before the court today that her conclusions were not based on artificial intelligence platforms.

Hafetz: “And because of this limitation you used artificial intelligence tools...”

Fraser: “I believe I explained this in my report and during my testimony in court. I used artificial intelligence platforms as indicators; I did not base my final conclusions on the results of those platforms.” 

Following this exchange, Thaci’s defence lawyer Sophie Menegon requested that the prosecution’s line of questioning be stopped.

Fraser, who began her testimony yesterday at the Specialist Chambers, previously stated that she used Artificial Intelligence to transcribe audio recordings provided by Thaci’s defence team.

In this case, former president Hashim Thaci, Bashkim Smakaj, Fadil Fazliu, Isni Kilaj, and Hajredin Kuci are accused of criminal offenses against the administration of justice.

At the initial hearing on 27 February 2026, all defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.