Kosovo's Ex-president Thaci Sentenced to 25 Years for War Crimes
WHO:
CNN - Hashim Thaci, former President of Kosovo, aged 58.
CNN - Presiding Judge Charles Smith.
CNN - Other defendants include Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi, all former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
WHAT:
Al Jazeera - Thaci was found guilty of the murder of 96 political opponents and perceived collaborators with Serbian security forces by the KLA during the conflict.
Al Jazeera - Jakup Krasniqi was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Kadri Veseli was given 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi was sentenced to 13 years, including the time spent in custody.
Al Jazeera - The four men were acquitted on six charges of crimes against humanity due to insufficient evidence proving that crimes were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack on civilians.
CNN - Thaci was convicted of multiple counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and persecution.
CNN - Thaci stated, “Throughout my life, I stood with the people of Kosovo defending freedom, life and dignity. I was always guided by the Western ideals of democracy, equality and justice,” during his trial.
CNN - A digital clock counting down to the verdicts was displayed in Pristina, Kosovo, alongside portraits of the four former KLA fighters.
CNN - Thaci was convicted of four counts of war crimes, including murder, torture, cruel treatment, and arbitrary detention.
CNN - Thaci was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
CNN - Prosecutors requested a maximum sentence of 45 years for Thaci and the other defendants.
CNN - Thousands of people rallied in support of Thaci and the other defendants in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital.
WHERE:
CNN - The trial took place at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
CNN - Protests occurred in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital.
WHEN:
CNN - Thaci resigned from office nearly six years ago to face the charges.
CNN - Thaci's trial lasted nearly three years.
CNN - A separate trial for Thaci on charges of intimidating witnesses is set to begin later this month.
WHY:
Al Jazeera - Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Glauk Konjufca condemned the verdict as “terrible and harmful to Kosovo”.
Al Jazeera - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic called the verdicts a “warning” to Pristina, stating that the conviction represents a “clear, and albeit belated, confirmation” of the KLA being a criminal organization.
CNN - The charges stem from actions taken during Kosovo’s war for independence from Serbia, where Thaci and others allegedly targeted political opponents and civilians perceived as collaborators.
HOW:
CNN - The court proceedings were conducted by a panel of international judges due to fears about witness safety and security, with a significant portion of the staff being international.
CNN - The court proceedings were conducted by a panel of international judges due to concerns about witness safety and security.
(UPDATED September 16, 2026 19:03 UTC)
In a significant ruling, former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was found guilty of the murder of 96 political opponents and perceived collaborators with Serbian security forces during the conflict. Alongside Thaci, Jakup Krasniqi received a 25-year prison sentence, Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi got 13 years, which includes time already served, although they were acquitted on six charges of crimes against humanity due to lack of evidence. Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Glauk Konjufca condemned the verdict as “terrible and harmful to Kosovo,” while Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic described it as a “warning” to Pristina, asserting that the conviction confirms the KLA as a criminal organization.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 16:02 UTC)
In a significant ruling, Thaci has been convicted of multiple counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and persecution. During his trial, he expressed his commitment to the people of Kosovo, stating, “Throughout my life, I stood with the people of Kosovo defending freedom, life and dignity,” while a digital clock counting down to the verdicts was displayed in Pristina, alongside portraits of four former KLA fighters. The court proceedings were overseen by a panel of international judges, reflecting concerns about witness safety and security, with many staff members also being from outside the country.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 11:59 UTC)
Hashim Thaci, the former President of Kosovo, has been convicted of four counts of war crimes, including murder and torture, and sentenced to 25 years in prison by a panel of international judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Alongside Thaci, other defendants, including former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, faced similar charges, with prosecutors initially seeking a maximum sentence of 45 years. In response to the verdict, thousands rallied in support of Thaci and the others in Pristina, while a separate trial for Thaci on witness intimidation charges is set to begin on September 29, 2026.