War crimes tribunal to announce verdict in trial of former Kosovo president Thaci
An international court in The Hague sentenced former Kosovo President Thaci to 25 years in prison for war crimes committed during the 1990s conflict with Serbia. Three other former Kosovo Liberation Army commanders were also convicted of crimes against civilians and political opponents. While the court found the defendants criminally responsible for war crimes, charges of crimes against humanity were dismissed. The verdict follows a first-instance trial conducted by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
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- ✓ Former Kosovo President Thaci was sentenced to 25 years in prison by an international court in The Hague.
- ✓ Thaci was held criminally responsible for war crimes during the violent break from Serbia in the 1990s.
- ✓ Three other former KLA commanders were convicted of crimes against civilians and political opponents.
- ✓ The court dismissed charges of crimes against humanity.
What changed
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers delivered a first-instance verdict sentencing Thaci to 25 years in prison.
Live updates
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Former Kosovo President Thaci Sentenced to 25 Years for War Crimes
An international court in The Hague sentenced former Kosovo President Thaci to 25 years in prison for war crimes committed during the 1990s conflict with Serbia. Three other former Kosovo Liberation Army commanders were also convicted of crimes against civilians and political opponents. While the court found the defendants criminally responsible for war crimes, charges of crimes against humanity were dismissed. The verdict follows a first-instance trial conducted by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Why it matters
The case centers on the violent separation of Kosovo from Serbia. These proceedings target the leadership of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to address atrocities committed during the struggle for independence.
What is confirmed
- Former Kosovo President Thaci was sentenced to 25 years in prison by an international court in The Hague.
- Thaci was held criminally responsible for war crimes during the violent break from Serbia in the 1990s.
- Three other former KLA commanders were convicted of crimes against civilians and political opponents.
- The court dismissed charges of crimes against humanity.
- The Kosovo Specialist Chambers delivered the first-instance verdict.
What to watch next
- Appeal filings by Thaci and the other convicted KLA commanders
- Official reactions from the Kosovo government
- Potential civil unrest or further rallies in Kosovo and The Hague
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (9)
- Reuters — War crimes tribunal to announce verdict in trial of former Kosovo president Thaci
- U.S. News & World Report — Kosovo Ex-President Thaci Faces War Crimes Verdict in the Hague
- Balkan Insight — Police in The Hague Brace for Rallies Ahead of Kosovo Trial Verdict
- Reporteri — Gjykata Speciale njofton zyrtarisht për seancën e nesërme ndaj katërshes së UÇK-së, linku i transmetimit
- European Western Balkans — Kosovo police are stepping up security measures to preserve public order
- AP News — Kosovo protesters rally in support of ex-president ahead of war crimes trial verdict
- www.theguardian.com — Former Kosovo president Thaçi sentenced to 25 years in prison by international court in The Hague – Europe live
- prishtinainsight.com — Verdict Day: The Journey of the Case Against Four Former KLA Leaders
- tol.org — Kosovo’s Ex-President Thaci Sentenced to 25 Years for War Crimes
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