A court supported by the European Union found former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi guilty of four war crimes committed during Kosovo’s war for independence from Serbia. Thaçi stepped down from his position nearly six years ago to confront the accusations and has now been sentenced to 25 years in prison. The charges against him, including murder, torture, cruel treatment, and arbitrary detention, were confirmed by a panel of judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Thaçi, aged 58, has the option to appeal the verdict, as do the prosecutors. Alongside three other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders who fought against Serb forces in the 1998-99 conflict, Thaçi stood trial. During the sentencing, Thaçi, dressed in a suit and tie, remained silent as Judge Charles Smith delivered the judgment.
The ruling came as a significant setback for Thaçi, who was once supported by Western leaders and played a key role in peace talks in 1999. The KLA leaders on trial were perceived as national heroes, and the verdict shocked thousands of spectators in Pristina, the capital. Some even chanted “UCK,” the Albanian acronym for the Kosovo Liberation Army.
One of Thaçi’s supporters, Bekim Fetahu, described the verdict as “catastrophic,” mentioning the judges’ decision to align victims with perpetrators. Outside the courthouse in The Hague, hundreds more supporters awaited the outcome.
The trial emphasized that it was not about the legitimacy of the KLA’s actions or Kosovo’s quest for independence but rather focused on Thaçi’s misuse of power to promote criminal activities. The court concluded that Thaçi and his associates targeted political opponents and civilians considered collaborators or traitors during their time with the KLA.
While acquitted of crimes against humanity, the judges maintained that Thaçi and his co-defendants mistreated individuals they perceived as enemies, regardless of evidence indicating otherwise. Thaçi, maintaining his innocence, expressed his dedication to Kosovo’s cause during the trial.
Apart from Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi were also sentenced. Veseli received 18 years, Selimi 13 years, and Krasniqi 25 years in prison. The verdicts were met with condemnation from Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca and sparked widespread protests in Pristina.
Thaçi faces a separate trial on charges of witness intimidation, set to commence later this month. The court, primarily comprising international staff, has previously convicted individuals for intimidating witnesses. Thaçi, known as “the Snake” for his evasive tactics during the conflict, rose to power post-war but resigned from the presidency to confront the charges against him.
The Kosovo war resulted in thousands of casualties, mainly ethnic Albanians. NATO intervention ended the conflict, leading to Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008. Despite ongoing negotiations, tensions persist between Kosovo and Serbia, with Belgrade refusing to acknowledge Kosovo’s independence.
