The Hague Court Sentences Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi to 25 Years in Prison for War Crimes

Hashim Thaçi, the former president of Kosovo, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC), located in The Hague, Netherlands, found Thaçi guilty of war crimes committed during the conflict for Kosovo’s independence from Serbia. The 58-year-old was sentenced on Wednesday for crimes including murder, torture, and illegal detention.

Thaçi played a leading role in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) as a top commander during the 1990s war for Kosovo’s separation from Serbia, primarily composed of ethnic Albanians. The KSC reported that Thaçi was responsible for the murder of 96 individuals accused of being political opponents or collaborating with Serbian security forces during the conflict. Thaçi has denied all accusations against him. He remained silent as Presiding Judge Charles Smith pronounced the sentence. Three other former senior KLA commanders were also sentenced on various charges: Jakup Krasniqi received 25 years, Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years including time served, and Rexhep Selimi got 13 years including time served. All have the option to appeal the verdict.

The court acquitted all four defendants on six additional charges of crimes against humanity, stating that the prosecution failed to prove these charges as part of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians. The case has been highly contentious in Kosovo. Many ethnic Albanians regard the KLA and Thaçi as revered figures due to their roles in the 1998-99 war for independence. Thousands in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina, watched the verdict broadcast live on large screens. Following the announcement, some supporters chanted pro-KLA and Thaçi slogans. Thaçi remains a symbol of not only Kosovo’s former presidency but also its independence for many Kosovo Albanians.

The KLA emerged in the mid-1990s, with increased armed activities in 1997 and 1998. In response, Serbian forces launched large-scale police and military operations, escalating into full-scale war in 1999. The conflict resulted in an estimated 13,000 deaths and millions displaced. During the war, Thaçi was a key figure as one of the heads of the KLA’s political and information directorate. Following the war, he served as Kosovo’s prime minister and foreign minister, eventually becoming president from 2016 to 2020. He resigned in November 2020 after the court indicted him, and was detained along with other convicted commanders at the Hague. Since then, Kosovo has struggled to form a stable government despite multiple elections aimed at deepening ties with the European Union. Observers warn that this verdict may create further challenges to Kosovo’s political stability.