Thousands protest former Kosovo president’s war crimes conviction

Thousands took to the streets of Pristina's capital on Friday to protest the conviction of former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci for war crimes. The event marked one of the largest gatherings since Thaci was sentenced to 25 years for crimes committed during the 1990s independence struggle from Serbia. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers ruled that Thaci and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders were responsible for murders, illegal arrests, torture, and cruel treatment of KLA fighters during the conflict.

The decision sparked shock and outrage in Kosovo, where the men are still seen as heroes of the brutal conflict that left around 13,000 dead, mostly ethnic Albanians. KLA veterans organized the rally, demanding the court overturn the ruling and take into account those who fought to protect their loved ones. Thaci's lawyer, Luka Misetic, said he would appeal the decision and wished for a peaceful response from citizens.

The rally featured KLA veterans wearing military fatigues and waving the group's crimson-black-and-gold flags, with chants of the KLA's name echoing across the square. Critics accused the court, established in The Hague but operating under Kosovo law, of political bias and using evidence provided by Serbia, which has never recognized Kosovo's independence.

Thaci was sentenced alongside Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi, and Kadri Veseli, who received 25, 13, and 18 years respectively. All four were acquitted of crimes against humanity and have the right to appeal. Kosovo's government condemned the ruling, with Prime Minister Albin Kurti calling it "unacceptable" and promising support for the men throughout the appeals process.

International allies have called for respect of the court's decision, while Human Rights Watch stated that the verdict sends an important message that even powerful leaders are not beyond the reach of justice.