A court supported by the European Union has found former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi guilty of four war crimes committed during Kosovo’s fight for independence from Serbia. Thaçi stepped down from his position nearly six years ago to confront the charges. Alongside three other former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Thaçi was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and persecution.
Thaçi, aged 58, has the option to appeal the 25-year prison sentence. During the sentencing, he stood quietly as Judge Charles Smith delivered the verdict. Once a figure embraced by Western leaders for his potential to lead Kosovo towards independence, the judgment dealt a severe blow to Thaçi’s reputation.
The KLA leaders on trial, considered national heroes, faced shock and dismay among supporters in Pristina as the verdict was broadcast live. One advocate, Bekim Fetahu, denounced the decision as “catastrophic,” criticizing the judges for equating victims with perpetrators.
While Thaçi was accused of utilizing his authority to promote crimes, the judges clarified that the trial did not call into question the legitimacy or objectives of the KLA in seeking Kosovo’s independence. The four KLA members were acquitted of six charges of crimes against humanity due to a lack of evidence showing a systematic assault on civilians.
Prosecutors had sought a maximum 45-year prison term for Thaçi and his co-defendants, who all denied the allegations. The other defendants, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi, received sentences ranging from 13 to 25 years.
In a separate development, Thaçi faces a pending trial on charges of witness intimidation. The court, largely staffed by international personnel due to safety concerns for witnesses, previously convicted two leaders of a Kosovo war veterans’ association for similar behavior.
Thaçi, known as “the Snake” for his evasive tactics during the conflict, returned to Kosovo from Switzerland to participate in the independence struggle. Despite the turbulent history, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move not recognized by Belgrade. Relations between the two nations remain strained, despite ongoing negotiations facilitated by the European Union and the United States.
