Former President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, from The Hague, today wished all Albanians a happy 28th of November.

During the preparatory conference in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Fadil Fazliu, Isni Kilaj and Hajredin Kuçi — regarding obstruction of justice — held at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, Thaçi expressed dissatisfaction with the scheduling of the session on a day when Albanians celebrate their national holiday. He said the session was an unpleasant surprise for him and for the Albanian people.

From the detention center, Thaçi wished that Albanians celebrate united, proud, and with dignity, expressing confidence that in future Novembers they will celebrate together.

“I welcome the holding of this session and that is why I am present today, because I am committed to respecting the rule of law. But, honorable judge, it is important that this court avoids actions that would not be permitted in other respective countries. Like every people, we Albanians have our history, traditions, and national values. Scheduling this session exactly on 28 November should have been avoided. Having this hearing today, on 28 November, is an unpleasant surprise for me and for every Albanian. Today every Albanian has a national, state, and family holiday. It is the day of dignity and national pride, a day when, like any free nation, we celebrate and remember. Therefore, I would like to wish Albanians a happy 28th of November — may they celebrate united, proud, and with dignity. I believe that in future Novembers we will celebrate together,” he said.

After Thaçi’s remarks, the presiding judge, Christoph Gosnell, stated that the date had been set in consultation with all parties and no objections were raised.

“We set this date after consulting all parties, and there were no objections regarding this day for the status conference,” he said.

At the beginning of the hearing, while discussions were underway regarding motions and deadlines for submitting oral evidence, Thaçi requested to speak. His lawyer, Sophie Menegon, noted that her client’s comment was not directly related to the procedural issues being discussed.

“He told me he wanted to make a brief comment. I don’t know if you wish to give him the floor now; it is not directly related to the calendar issues,” she said.

Judge Gosnell responded that Thaçi would be given the opportunity to speak at the end of the session.

“I suggest we proceed with the agenda, and Mr. Thaçi will be given the opportunity to make an intervention at the end of today’s hearing,” the judge said.

During the preparatory conference, Judge Gosnell asked the SPO (Specialist Prosecutor’s Office) for further clarifications on when the trial in this case could begin.

Referencing the prosecution’s filing, he noted that the SPO estimated the trial could begin in early February 2026, depending on the completion of ongoing investigative steps and receipt of materials from an external service provider.

“It depends on the final results and completion of steps currently underway. Some materials still need translation, analysis and disclosure to all parties. It is not an endless investigation; it is focused on specific matters. Our suggestion is mid or late February,” he said.

The judge highlighted delays caused by the prosecution and asked what steps would be taken to avoid further postponements.

He noted that the SPO had previously indicated readiness for November 2025, but has since pushed back the date by three weeks.

During the conference, it was stated that the presentation of the SPO’s core evidence would not take more than two weeks.

“The prosecution says presenting its core case will not take more than two weeks, and proposes calling all witnesses consecutively at the beginning of February,” he said.

Regarding the examination of the seventh witness, Thaçi’s lawyer, Sophie Menegon, said she could not yet estimate how long the questioning would take.

“We are ready to proceed with questioning, but I cannot say at this moment how long it will take,” she said.

Similar positions were expressed by the lawyers of Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fazli Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi.

Physically present in the courtroom today were only Fadil Fazliu and Isni Kilaj, while Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, and Hajredin Kuçi participated via video link. Several lawyers appeared via video as well.

During the status conference, Judge Gosnell said he would issue the scheduling order for the trial in written form and ordered the prosecution to submit its motion on the admission of non-oral evidence by 17 December 2025.

Isni Kilaj, Bashkim Smakaj, and Fadil Fazliu were arrested by the SPO on 5 December and transferred to the detention center of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) on 6 December 2024. Thaçi was served with an arrest warrant at the detention facility on 5 December 2024. Hajredin Kuçi was served with the confirmed indictment and summons, and his initial appearance was held on 9 December.

According to the indictment, during non-privileged visits in the detention center, Hashim Thaçi provided Smakaj, Kilaj, Fazliu, and Kuçi with confidential information about SPO witnesses, instructions on how to influence their testimonies, and details on how this should be carried out.

The indictment further alleges that Thaçi coordinated three separate groups—one with Smakaj, one with Fazliu and Kilaj, and one with Kuçi—with the aim of influencing SPO witnesses in the trial against former KLA leaders accused of war crimes.