THE HAGUE — Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after a Hague-based court found him guilty of war crimes linked to Kosovo’s 1990s conflict with Serbia. The verdict marks a major development in the long-running legal proceedings against one of the most prominent figures in Kosovo’s independence movement.
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers delivered its judgment on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Thaci, 58, was convicted of murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention. He has denied the allegations and can appeal the decision.
Hague Court Finds Thaci Guilty of Four War Crimes
Judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers determined that Thaci bore criminal responsibility for crimes committed during the conflict involving the Kosovo Liberation Army, or KLA.
The court’s findings included the murder of 96 people, the arbitrary detention of 385 individuals, torture involving 303 people and cruel treatment of 49 others. According to the judgment, the victims were not actively participating in hostilities when the crimes occurred.
The prosecution had sought a 45-year prison sentence. However, the court did not convict Thaci on all the charges brought against him. He was acquitted of six crimes against humanity charges because the evidence did not meet the required standard.
The verdict followed a lengthy trial examining alleged abuses during and after the Kosovo war.
Former President’s Political Career Under Scrutiny
Thaci was a leading commander and political figure within the Kosovo Liberation Army during the territory’s struggle against Serbian forces in the late 1990s. He later became a central figure in Kosovo’s political development and served as the country’s president.
He resigned from the presidency in November 2020 after the war crimes indictment was confirmed. He was subsequently transferred to detention in The Hague to face trial.
The proceedings began in April 2023, with prosecutors presenting evidence concerning alleged crimes committed by senior KLA figures. More than 130 witnesses testified during the case, which also involved three other former KLA leaders: Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
Verdict Draws Attention in Kosovo and Serbia
The judgment has attracted considerable attention in Kosovo, where Thaci is regarded by many as an important figure in the country’s independence struggle. Supporters gathered outside the court in The Hague as the verdict was announced.
The case is also being closely watched in Serbia, given the continuing political and historical tensions surrounding Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008.
Thaci’s legal team is expected to challenge the conviction through an appeal. The outcome of the case is likely to remain a significant subject in discussions about accountability for crimes committed during the Kosovo conflict.
