Hague court sentences Kosovo ex-president Thaçi to 25 years in prison for war crimes

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague convicted former President Hashim Thaçi of war crimes on Wednesday, sentencing him to 25 years in prison. Thaçi, a former leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army, was found guilty of crimes such as arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture, and murder. The court determined that Thaçi was responsible for these acts as part of a joint criminal enterprise during the 1998-1999 conflict with Serbia.

Despite the charges of crimes against humanity being dropped, Thaçi's co-defendants Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi, and Kadri Veseli received sentences ranging from 13 to 25 years. The ruling stated that the prosecution did not prove the existence of widespread and systematic attacks against civilians, a crucial element for crimes against humanity.

Thaçi's brother Gani expressed his conviction of his innocence and stated that they would appeal the verdict. Krasniqi's daughter, Gresa, labeled the decision as unjust, political, racist, and criminal, claiming that many others responsible for war crimes remain free in Serbia. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called the ruling a "shame," and scuffles erupted between supporters and Dutch police outside the courtroom.

Thaçi has denied the charges and has remained in detention since his resignation as president in November 2020. The 1998-1999 Kosovo war resulted in the displacement of over 1 million Albanians, the killing of about 11,000, and injuries to thousands more. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has not recognized it.

Tensions remain high between the two nations, despite years of European Union-mediated negotiations.