Hashim Thaçi, former President of Kosovo, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Wednesday for four counts of war crimes at the Special Court of Kosovo in The Hague. Thaçi, who was tried alongside three other former leaders of guerrilla groups, was convicted of murder, torture, inhumane treatment, and arbitrary detention. He stood silently in formal attire during the reading of the verdict.
Verdict After a Lengthy Trial
The final ruling in this case, which followed a three-year trial against four key figures of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), includes Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi, and Kadri Veseli. The defendants' lawyers rejected the charges and emphasized the lack of a command structure in the KLA. Prosecutors had previously sought a 45-year prison sentence for each of the defendants.
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Reactions to the Verdict and Protests in Kosovo
During the trial, Thaçi emphasized that he has always stood by the people of Kosovo in defense of their freedom and dignity. He had predicted in August that he would be fully acquitted. Following the verdict, his supporters took to the streets of Pristina, demanding his and the other defendants' freedom. Kosovo's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, also described the war as a just and liberating one in remarks made before the verdict.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, which include murder and torture, Thaçi's supporters hoped that he and the other defendants would be freed. To this end, a large number of protesters gathered in public squares, displaying countdown clocks for the verdict. The Kosovo police were also prepared to ensure the security of these gatherings.
The Special Court of Kosovo, based in the Netherlands and comprising international judges, was established to address crimes committed by KLA members during the war. This court has faced significant criticism, with allegations of political bias and impartiality raised against it.
Thaçi is still facing another trial for charges related to obstruction of justice. He resigned from his position in 2020 following allegations and has been in detention in The Hague since then.
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