A European Union-backed court in The Hague convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci of four counts of war crimes on Wednesday. A panel of judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers sentenced the 58-year-old to 25 years in prison for crimes committed during Kosovo's 1998-99 war for independence from Serbia.
The conviction follows a nearly three-year trial that began after Thaci resigned from the presidency nearly six years ago to face the charges. Thaci, a former political director of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), stood in silence as Presiding Judge Charles Smith read the sentence. He was convicted of murder, torture, cruel treatment, and arbitrary detention.
Prosecutors alleged that Thaci and three other KLA leaders targeted political opponents and civilians they perceived as collaborators or traitors. The three other defendants—Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi—also faced charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. All four men denied the charges, and Thaci stated in February that he was guided by ideals of democracy and justice.
The legal proceedings involve international staff to address concerns regarding witness safety and security. In 2022, the court previously convicted two leaders of a war veterans' association for intimidating witnesses. For the defendants and the judicial system, this case establishes a precedent for how high-ranking officials are held accountable for actions taken during independence struggles. The prosecution had sought a maximum sentence of 45 years, while the defense maintained the innocence of the accused.
What happens next involves further legal action for Thaci, who faces a separate trial for witness intimidation scheduled to begin later this month. The verdict comes amid ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia; Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a status Serbia does not recognize. Diplomatic negotiations mediated by the European Union and supported by the United States continue as both parties address the aftermath of the war that displaced approximately 1 million ethnic Albanian Kosovars.