The special decision is made, 11 persons were barred from visiting Thaci (EMRAT)

In Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( In The Hague, a decision has been made to impose restrictions on Hashim Thaci's visits to 11 people on the issue against justice administration.

Although the prosecution requested that visits be banned for Thaci's three brothers, the request was approved for only 11 others. Thus, visits were banned for Artan Behramin, Blerim Shala, Ismail Syla, Vladnim Kryeziu, Milaim Ahmetaj, Milaim Cakicin, Avni Kastracin, and four other people whose name is edited similar to Thaci's brothers, reports “Betim for Justice“, broadcast Periscope.

The Pre-Procedure Procedure Judge stresses that restrictions adopted on this decision are limited only to Mr. Thaci at the Pre-prisonment facility of Specialised Chambers: Artan Behram, Blerim Shala, Ismail Syla, Vladnim Kryeziu, \[ REDAKU], \ [CHING] REDAKUED], Milaim Ahmetaj, Milaim Cakiqi, Avni Kastrati, \[ REDAKUED] and \ [CH] REDECT]. These restrictions will take effect shortly after announcing this decision on Mr. Thaci”, says in decision.

The decision was made on August 18th 2025 by preliminary procedure judge Marjorie Masselot.

The prosecution presupposes that these persons when they visited Thaci earlier spoke softly, and the accused had been given instructions to be forwarded to witnesses.

They have claimed these persons could be prevented from visiting Thaci for legitimate reasons. In addition, even if the visit was denied to Thaci's three brothers, the prosecution says that the accused has two others who can visit him.

Thaci's defence, led by Sophie Menegon, had said that the required restrictions are unnecessary and violate Thaci's fundamental rights to private life and family.

In addition, the prosecution had asked to be discussed during visits to the war crimes issue or to the one against the administration of justice. While, the defence says Thaci should not be prevented from discussing what is in the public domain.

The judge of the preliminary procedure found that the required restrictions are necessary to ease the risk of revealing confidential information concerning the prosecution's protected witnesses.

The judge says that these restrictions are only with individuals on whom there are reliable indications that have taken part in privileged visits in which Thaci has revealed confidential information.

For one of the people whose name is edited, the judge says she has been named consultant in the defence team on the war crimes issue on the basis of a confidential letter Thaci's protector has addressed to the manager.

According to the ruling, this person was part of a visit to Thaci on July 1, 2023, in which he and Behram and Kastrati had spoken about the testimony of a protected witness. According to the judge of the preliminary procedure, this is a reliable indicator that the person in question may be involved in unacceptable behavior for the integrity of procedures.

Taking into consideration all the circumstances and factors mentioned above as a whole, the Pre-emptive Procedure Judge considers it necessary to be banned. REDAKUED] by holding underprivileged visits with Mr. Thaci is in the presence of third parties”, the decision says.

For his three brothers, Masselot says that on August 12th and October 1, they, Thaci, and others talked about protected witnesses and how one witness should testify. It was also said that they also discussed testimony from a witness victim at a private hearing.

Masselot says this offers reliable indicators that Thaci's three brothers have participated in visits to which the accused has revealed confidential information.

However, Masselot says that in a detention facility, premeditatives are entitled to respect family life so that contact with relatives, including his brothers, can be preserved.

Judge Masselot also took into consideration the threat of protection that Thaci's three brothers give him moral support during this period of confrontation with justice. So Masselot in the decision said she is aware that Thaci's father has recently passed away and acknowledged that in such circumstances, maintaining contact with family members, including his brothers, is essential.

As a result, he refused the prosecution's request to impose restrictions on Thaci's brothers ' visits.

While, for applying to impose restrictions on discussions on the issue of war crimes and on justice administration, Masselot has decided that such a thing is not necessary.

In light of the above, the Judge of Pre-Plain Procedure finds that the restrictions required on Mr. Thaci, as long as they have to do with publicly available information, are neither necessary nor proportional, and therefore is refused”, says the decision specifying that these restrictions should be revised every three months.

Hashim Thaci has been at The Hague's Prosecution Centre since November 2020. He is being tried for war crimes, as well as last year, has been subjected to charges against justice administration.

Otherwise, the Specialised Prosecutor's Office, on September 30th, 2022, has handed over the confirmed amended indictment against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, which consists of ten points of charges, where the latter are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

On April 29th 2022, the Specialised Prosecutor's Office had handed over a amended indictment to Hashim Thaci, Kadri Wessel, Rexhepi and Jakup Krasniqi, where four indictees have committed war crimes even in Gjilan, Budakov and Semtish.

On November 9th 2020, in their first appearances, Hashim Thaci's Jakup Krasniqi has been declared innocent of the charges placed on them. Wessel has also been declared in his presentation on November 10th, as has Rexhep Selimi on November 11th.

The incident against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi is confirmed on October 26, 2020.

While, in terms of the case against justice administration, the Smaj Union, Fadil Fazliu and Isni Kilaj were arrested on December 5th 2024 in Kosovo and transferred to the detention facility in DrsK, on December 6, 2024, under the confirmed indictment and reported arrest by The Hague.

While, Thaci has been handed over to the warrant at the detention facility at The Hague on December 5th, 2024, always according to the DK's announcement.

In contrast, Hajredin Kuci has been handed over to the confirmed indictment and the call to appear before the court of preliminary procedure for the first presentation, which was held December 9th.

According to the indictment, Thaci individually and through joint actions with groups; The band Fazliu (Fadil Fazliu and Fahri Fazliu), the Smaj Group (Bashkim Smaj, Blerim Shala and Artan Behrami) and the Kilaj Group (Isni Kilaj and Vlasnim Mayoriu) have followed a pattern of conduct to prevent official persons from performing official duties.

The indictment says Thaci has led and participated in these efforts through his visits to detention facilities during the time he was detained under his trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

It says that members of the Fazliu Group, the Smaj Group and the Kilaj Group were co-ordinated to influence SPS witnesses during the unprincipled visits of July 2nd, September 9th and October 6th 2023.

As a result, three counts of obstructing the official person in carrying out official duties bear against Thaci three counts of violations of the procedure's secrecy and four counts of disobedience to the court.

While, Kilaj, Smaj and Fazliu are accused of trying to prevent official persons from performing official duties and disobeying the tribunal. However, Kuci has two counts of contempt of court.