Head of the Dutch Supreme Court: Special Court ruling should be addressed through legal avenues

Dineke de Groot, president of the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, says that the ruling by the Special Court in The Hague against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army should be addressed using the instruments provided by the legal system.

In a statement to KosovaPress, De Groot said she was aware of the ruling and the reaction it had generated in Kosovo. However, she clarified that she had no authority to comment on the substance of the judgment.

De Groot pointed out that the system offers many avenues for assessing such a ruling and that this process of reflection is essential to the rule of law.

She emphasized that any dissatisfaction with a judicial decision must be articulated and addressed within the justice system, not outside it.

“I learned about it and I know how it is affecting Kosovo. I believe that all of you, together, will be able to reflect in a way that serves the rule of law. Within the system, there are many opportunities to reflect on this decision, and it is important that this be done,” De Groot said.

According to her, when someone considers a judicial decision unfair, it is essential to say so openly and seek solutions through the existing legal channels.

“It is not for me to comment on the trial, but it is important to emphasize that whenever someone believes a decision is unfair, it is important to say so in your country and make use of the opportunities offered by the legal system,” she stated.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague found four former KLA leaders guilty of war crimes on September 16, 2026.

Based on the first-instance ruling, former President Hashim Thaçi and former parliamentary speaker Jakup Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years in prison. Kadri Veseli, also a former speaker of the Assembly, was sentenced to 18 years, while Rexhep Selimi was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The trial panel found them responsible for unlawful or arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and unlawful killings.

On the other hand, all four defendants were acquitted of charges of crimes against humanity after the judges determined that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a widespread or systematic attack against civilians had taken place.

The ruling is not yet final and may be challenged through the appeals process.

The former KLA leaders have denied the charges throughout the trial, while their defense teams have contested the trial panel’s findings.