The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague have issued a statement announcing that Bashkim Smakaj and Fadil Fazliu have been released on bail.

Bashkim Smakaj and Fadil Fazliu, accused of criminal offenses against the administration of justice, have been conditionally released by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers following the latest review of their detention.

On Tuesday, former KLA commander Haxhi Shala was also released from detention by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, where he had been held in pretrial custody.

The decision was made by a single judge in the case of the Specialist Prosecutor against Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu, and Hajredin Kuçi.

In the decision, the judge noted that circumstances have changed since the last detention review in December 2025, and that continuing to hold Smakaj and Fazliu in detention is no longer reasonable or proportional.

Although it was acknowledged that there remains a certain risk that the released individuals could obstruct the judicial process, the judge concluded that their fundamental right to liberty carries greater weight than these risks.

A key factor in the decision was also that the time Smakaj and Fazliu have already spent in detention exceeds the minimum sentence provided by law in the event of a conviction.

Additionally, the judge emphasized that the evidence presentation phase in the Specialist Prosecutor’s case against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi has already concluded, making it impossible for any potential obstruction attempts to go undetected.

The decision also states that there is no risk of flight for Smakaj and Fazliu, particularly considering the financial guarantee they provided, which would be forfeited if the conditions of their release are not respected.