Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes, including murder, torture, and illegal detention, by the Kosovo war crimes tribunal in The Hague. The ruling, announced on September 16, 2026, has drawn significant attention in both Kosovo and Serbia, where the legacy of the 1998-1999 conflict continues to fuel tensions between ethnic Albanians and Serbs, as reported by ARN News Centre.
Thaci, 58, was found guilty of orchestrating the murder of 96 political opponents and perceived collaborators during his time as a top commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The tribunal also convicted him for the arbitrary detention of 385 individuals, torture of 303, and cruel treatment of 49 others, all of whom were not involved in hostilities at the time of the crimes.
Presiding Judge Charles Smith stated that Thaci had actively participated in a joint criminal enterprise aimed at establishing detention facilities and targeting individuals opposed to the KLA. The conditions in which victims were held were described as inhumane, with reports of beatings, overcrowding, and inadequate food and medical care.
Thaci, who maintained his innocence throughout the trial, has the option to appeal the verdict. His conviction has sparked protests, with supporters clashing with police in The Hague and hundreds marching in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital. Many Kosovo Albanians continue to view Thaci as a revered figure, while the tribunal itself is unpopular in the region.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned the ruling as an “unacceptable injustice,” asserting that it does not reflect the will of the people. Political analysts suggest that Thaci’s conviction could further complicate Kosovo’s political landscape, potentially benefiting Kurti while fragmenting the already divided parliament.
In contrast, reactions in Belgrade were critical, with some Serbs deeming the sentence too lenient. Prosecutors had initially sought a 45-year sentence for Thaci and three other KLA commanders, but the court dismissed several charges of crimes against humanity, citing insufficient evidence of widespread or systematic attacks against civilians.
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers, established in 2015 under international pressure, aims to address wartime and post-war crimes committed by former KLA fighters, highlighting the ongoing complexities of justice and reconciliation in the region.
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