Kosovo ex-President Thaci sentenced to 25 years for war crimes

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was convicted of four counts of war crimes on Wednesday and sentenced to 25 years in prison by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, capping a three-year trial that has deeply divided his Balkan homeland.nytimes+1

Thaci, 58, was found guilty of murder, torture, cruel treatment, and arbitrary detention committed during his time as a top commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the 1998-99 war for independence from Serbia. The tribunal determined that he was criminally responsible for the killing of 96 people, the torture of 303, and the unlawful detention of 385 individuals. Presiding Judge Charles Smith said Thaci "used his position, leadership, authority and standing" to encourage the crimes and then failed to investigate them.lemonde+2

Co-Defendants Convicted, Crimes Against Humanity Charges Dropped

Three other former KLA leaders were also convicted. Jakup Krasniqi received 25 years, Kadri Veseli 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi 13 years. All four were acquitted of six charges of crimes against humanity after judges ruled prosecutors failed to prove the crimes were part of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians. Prosecutors had sought 45-year sentences for each defendant.npr+2

The victims included fellow Kosovo Albanians perceived as collaborators, as well as Serb and Roma civilians. Judge Smith stressed the trial was "not about the legitimacy" of the KLA or Kosovo's independence. "The vast majority of them were innocent civilians," the tribunal said.euronews+2

Shock in Pristina, Defiance From Officials

In Pristina, large crowds had gathered to watch the verdict on live screens, many expecting an acquittal after weeks of rallies and countdown clocks in city squares. Once the sentence was read, the square emptied within minutes. Kosovo Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca called it "a terrible judgment for Kosovo, for our liberation war".euronews+1

Thaci, who resigned the presidency in November 2020 after his indictment and has been detained in The Hague since, told judges in February: "Throughout my life, I stood with the people of Kosovo defending freedom, life and dignity". He still faces a separate trial on obstruction of justice charges set to begin later this month.npr+1

Amnesty International's Esther Major said the convictions "show that senior officials are not above the law" and offered hope to thousands of victims who have waited more than two decades for justice. The verdicts are first-instance decisions and may be appealed.amnesty