Former Kosovo leader sentenced for war crimes

On September 16, 2026, a landmark verdict was delivered by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

The EU-backed court sentenced former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and three other former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) for war crimes committed during the 1998–1999 war for independence.

Alongside Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi were found guilty of crimes including arbitrary detention, torture, and murder.

While the court acquitted them of crimes against humanity due to insufficient evidence of a systematic attack, the prison sentences remain significant: 25 years for both Thaçi and Krasniqi, 18 years for Veseli, and 13 years for Selimi.

These rulings are subject to appeal.

While many in Kosovo regard these men as national heroes who fought for independence, international observers view the court's decision as a crucial step for accountability.