Specialist prosecutor welcomes verdict: The KLA and the war for independence were not prosecuted

Specialist Prosecutor Kimberly West has described the verdict handed down today against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi as a significant decision for the rule of law in Kosovo and for delayed justice for the victims.

The court found that the four accused bear individual criminal responsibility for war crimes related to unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture, and unlawful killing.

According to the verdict, Hashim Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, Rexhep Selimi to 13 years, and Jakup Krasniqi to 25 years.

“Today’s verdict, based solely on facts and the law, constitutes an important step towards accountability and strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo,” the Specialist Prosecutor declared. She added that the court has confirmed that no person, regardless of their position or political authority, stands above the law and enjoys immunity from accountability for serious international crimes.

Kimberly West emphasized that the case brought by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) focused on the criminal responsibility of individuals and was not intended to call into question any historical narrative.

“In accordance with its mandate, the SPO has sought to hold individuals accountable for their actions, nothing more,” Ms. West further stated. “The SPO has not prosecuted the Kosovo Liberation Army, nor the war waged for Kosovo’s independence.”

“Certain individuals exploited the circumstances of war to commit serious crimes, so it is in Kosovo’s best interest that they now face accountability,” she continued.

During the presentation of its case, the SPO brought into the courtroom 125 witnesses who testified directly, and submitted around 3,000 pieces of material evidence in multiple languages.

In the judgment, the trial panel concluded that Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi were guilty of unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention of at least 385 persons, cruel treatment of at least 49 persons, torture of 303 persons, and unlawful killing of at least 96 persons.

The criminal acts affected hundreds of civilians and persons who did not participate in hostilities. They were committed from April 1998 to 20 June 1999, in various municipalities of Kosovo and in two districts of northern Albania.

The Specialist Prosecutor also announced that the SPO will carefully analyze the entire judgment in the coming days, including the six charges of crimes against humanity for which there were no convictions.