By Dwayne Ferreira.
Hashim Thaçi war crimes convictions result in a 25-year prison sentence for Kosovo’s former president over offences during the 1998–99 conflict.
THE HAGUE — Hashim Thaçi war crimes convictions have resulted in a 25-year prison sentence for Kosovo’s former president over crimes committed during the 1998–1999 conflict with Serbia.
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers convicted Thaçi, 58, of four war crimes: murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention, linked to his role in the Kosovo Liberation Army.
Hashim Thaçi War Crimes Verdict
Judges found Thaçi and other senior KLA figures responsible for the detention of 385 people, torture of 303 detainees, cruel treatment of 49 people and 96 killings.
Thaçi denied all charges.
Three other former senior KLA commanders also received prison terms. Jakup Krasniqi was sentenced to 25 years, Kadri Veseli to 18 years and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years.
However, the panel acquitted all four defendants of six crimes-against-humanity charges. Judges said prosecutors had not proved the offences formed part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilians.
Presiding Judge Charles Smith stressed that the proceedings concerned individual criminal responsibility, not the legitimacy of the Kosovo Liberation Army or Kosovo’s independence struggle.
Thaçi served as Kosovo’s president from 2016 until 2020, when he resigned after his indictment.
The verdict triggered strong reactions in Kosovo, where many still regard former KLA leaders as heroes of the independence struggle.
Thaçi and the other defendants can appeal.
