In its closing statements at the war crimes trial of Hashim Thaci and his co-accused, prosecutors decried what they alleged was an “historic” climate of witness intimidation.

Indeed, just before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers issues its verdict in the trial, it will hear closing statements in a separate – but related – trial in which Thaci, the former president of Kosovo, is accused of obstruction of justice.

The verdict in the first case is due on September 16, some three years after it began.

In that case, Thaci is charged alongside Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, all of whom played prominent roles in the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, during the 1998-99 Kosovo war before entering politics when the war ended. All have pleaded not guilty.

Of the four, Thaci was the only one also charged with obstruction of justice in 2024, this time alongside four others: former Kosovo Justice Minister Hajredin Kuci, Isni Kilaj, Bashkim Smakaj and Fadil Fazliu. All five defendants have pleaded not guilty.