The Hague Sentences Thaci to 25 Years for War Crimes; Veseli Gets 18, Selimi 13
The Specialist Chambers found the four former KLA leaders guilty, acquitting them of crimes against humanity.
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague found former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci guilty of war crimes and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. Jakup Krasniqi, a former parliament speaker, also received 25 years. Kadri Veseli, a former parliament speaker and party leader, was sentenced to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi, a former MP, to 13 years.
The court found the four former senior Kosovo Liberation Army officials criminally responsible for arbitrary or unlawful detention, cruel treatment, torture and unlawful killing committed against at least 385 people during and after the 1998-1999 Kosovo conflict. The court acquitted them of crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors had sought 45 years for each defendant. All four reject the charges, and the defence is expected to appeal.
The verdict is a first-instance ruling. Thaci is being tried separately, in a distinct proceeding, over obstruction of justice and improper influence on witnesses — that case is not part of today's verdict.
In Pristina, hundreds of supporters watched a live broadcast on a large screen and chanted Thaci's name; some in the crowd could not hold back tears. Outside the court in The Hague, there were incidents between demonstrators and police.
MKNews Hub · World · September 17, 2026
