Hague court jails Kosovos ex-president Thaçi and three former KLA leaders for war crimes

Story Timeline
3 days · 2 summary articles
Hague court jails Kosovos ex-president Thaçi and three former KLA leaders for war crimes
Hague war crimes court delivers verdict on Kosovos Thaçi and three KLA leaders
Continuation
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague on Wednesday sentenced former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi to 25 years in prison for war crimes committed during the 1998-99 conflict. The 58-year-old, a former Kosovo Liberation Army commander, was convicted alongside three other ex-KLA leaders: Jakup Krasniqi (25 years), Kadri Veseli (18 years) and Rexhep Selimi (13 years). All four were acquitted of crimes against humanity after prosecutors failed to prove a widespread or systematic attack on civilians. The verdict can be appealed .
In Pristina, thousands gathered to watch the verdict on a large screen, with supporters weeping, booing and chanting “Thaçi, Thaçi” and “KLA” while waving Kosovo Liberation Army flags. Some marched toward the EU rule-of-law mission (EULEX) headquarters, clashing with riot police . Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned the ruling as “an unacceptable injustice” and vowed to challenge it on appeal .
The court found Thaçi responsible for the arbitrary detention of 385 people, cruel treatment of 49, torture of 303 and the murder of 96 during the conflict . Judges stressed the trial concerned individual acts, not the legitimacy of the KLA or Kosovo’s struggle for independence .
Follow us for live European news
- 4
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
6 further sources not geolocated






