Kosovo
Trendafilova: Specialist Chambers do not act under political influence; KLA veterans call the statement arrogant
The president of the Specialist Chambers spoke of disinformation about the court's independence, a week after Kosovo's Parliament passed amendments limiting its jurisdiction.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 21, 2026, 08:04 · Updated 12:22 · 2 min read
In brief
- Ekaterina Trendafilova said in a video message that the judges are independent professionals and that no one should influence how they apply the law.
- The KLA Veterans Organization responded that laws in Kosovo are passed by Parliament and that the court exists because Parliament created it.
- Fatmir Limaj saw the statement as the first sign of the new law's effect, while PDK lawmaker Përparim Gruda said the Specialist Chambers will have to apply the law once it takes effect.
Ekaterina Trendafilova, president of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, has released a video message defending the institution's independence. “We do not act under political influence,” she said, adding that the court has faced disinformation about how it works.
Trendafilova said the judges are independent professionals, appointed by EU member states and other contributing states. According to her, criticism of rulings is legitimate in a democracy, but no one should influence how judges interpret and apply the law. She noted that rulings can be challenged through appeal mechanisms and cited witness intimidation cases that have ended in convictions and guilty pleas.
The message after the changes in Parliament
The statement came about a week after Kosovo's Parliament passed, with 88 votes, amendments to the law on the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor's Office. The changes limit jurisdiction to only certain offenses, reduce the maximum sentence to 15 years and allow appeals to Kosovo's Supreme Court. The law is with President Justina Shiroka-Pula, who has eight days to sign it by decree or return it to Parliament.
Reactions in Kosovo
The KLA War Veterans Organization reacted sharply, saying Trendafilova should know that laws in Kosovo are passed by Parliament and that the Chambers exist because Parliament created them. The veterans called absurd and arrogant the idea that a court can choose the law that governs it.
PDK lawmaker Përparim Gruda acknowledged that no one can dictate to a court how to interpret the law, but argued that the court cannot choose which law to apply and that the Specialist Chambers will have to respect the new law once it takes effect. Fatmir Limaj, leader of the Social Democratic Initiative, described the statement as a positive step and the first sign of the law's effect, but criticized the court for arrogance and poor communication over the years.
The EU has expressed deep concern about the changes, considering them contrary to Kosovo's international obligations.
