A court supported by the European Union found former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi guilty of four counts of war crimes committed during Kosovo’s war for independence from Serbia. Thaçi stepped down from his position almost six years ago to face these charges. The judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers convicted him of murder, torture, cruel treatment, and arbitrary detention.
Thaçi, aged 58, has the option to appeal the verdict, as do the prosecutors. He was tried alongside three other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders who fought against Serb forces during the 1998-99 conflict. During the sentencing, Thaçi remained silent as Judge Charles Smith announced the 25-year prison term.
Once a figure respected by Western leaders, Thaçi was previously involved in peace talks in 1999 and was seen as a potential leader for Kosovo’s independence journey. However, the verdict delivered a significant blow to his reputation.
The KLA leaders on trial are revered as national heroes, and the community in Pristina was shocked by the court’s ruling. Supporters gathered outside the courtroom in The Hague, expressing their disappointment. The judges emphasized that the trial did not question the legitimacy of the KLA but focused on Thaçi’s misuse of power to incite crimes.
The court found that Thaçi and his co-defendants targeted political opponents and civilians perceived as collaborators and traitors within the KLA. While acquitted of crimes against humanity, the judges noted that the evidence did not support a widespread and systematic attack on civilians.
Thaçi faces a separate trial on charges of witness intimidation, set to commence later. He gained prominence for his role in Kosovo’s independence struggle, earning the nickname “the Snake” for evading Serb forces during the conflict. The war in Kosovo resulted in the deaths of thousands, mainly ethnic Albanians, with NATO intervention ending the fighting. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move not recognized by Belgrade, leading to ongoing tensions between the two nations.