Reuters: Verdict against Thaçi in The Hague a tectonic event for Kosovo and the region

Reuters has published an in-depth article on the trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and other former leaders of the KLA, with the verdict expected to be delivered on Wednesday in The Hague.

According to the international news agency, the verdict represents a development of particular significance for Kosovo and the region.

Large screens have been installed in several cities across Kosovo, displaying a countdown to the reading of the verdict, which is expected to begin at 10:00 in The Hague. Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered in Pristina on Saturday to demand the release of the former KLA leaders, Reuters reported.

Thaçi’s defense has rejected the murder and torture charges, calling them unfounded. According to his lawyers, the trial seeks to “rewrite” history.

The lawyers have also stated that there is no evidence directly linking Thaçi to the alleged crimes or showing that he exercised control over other KLA commanders.

“For us, Hashim Thaçi is a hero of Kosovo, a freedom fighter. He should return to Kosovo,” Pristina resident Mentori Plakaj told Reuters.

Hashim Thaçi served as president of Kosovo from 2016 to 2020. Before that, he served as prime minister from 2008 to 2014.

“The verdict is a tectonic event,” said Agon Maliqi, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center.