Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci faces verdict for alleged war crimes

Kosovo's former President Hashim Thaci was convicted on Wednesday by the Kosovo war crimes tribunal in The Hague for 25 years in prison. The charges included murder, torture, and illegal detention during the violent break from Serbia in the 1990s. Thaci, 58, was found guilty of ordering the murders of 96 political opponents and collaborators with Serbian security forces, detaining 385 individuals without cause, and inflicting torture on 303 people.

None of the victims were actively involved in hostilities at the time of the alleged crimes. Presiding judge Charles Smith described Thaci's actions as part of a plan involving the establishment of detention facilities, identification of perceived opponents, and arrest and detention, often resulting in death. Thaci, who remained silent during the verdict, denied all charges and retains the right to appeal.

The ruling was met with protests in Pristina and The Hague, with supporters of Thaci facing police in The Hague and a crowd gathering in Kosovo's capital. The verdict was widely criticized, with some calling it "shameful" and expressing disbelief. Prosecutors had sought a 45-year sentence but were only able to prove six charges of crimes against humanity, arguing that the prosecution had not demonstrated widespread or systematic attacks against the civilian population.