Kosovo's Hashim Thaci Sentenced to 25 Years for War Crimes

Hashim Thaci, the former president of Kosovo, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a court in The Hague on September 16, 2026, after being convicted of war crimes committed during the late 1990s conflict that led to Kosovo's independence from Serbia. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers found Thaci, 58, guilty of murder, torture, cruel treatment, and the illegal detention of civilians, establishing that he bore criminal responsibility as the top commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

Presiding judge Charles Smith stated that Thaci "actively participated in and encouraged crimes," including the murder of 96 political opponents and the arbitrary detention and torture of hundreds. Thaci, who resigned from the presidency in late 2020 to face the charges, denied all allegations and retains the right to appeal.

Alongside Thaci, three other former KLA leaders received sentences ranging from 13 to 25 years. The verdict sparked significant public reaction in Kosovo, where Thaci is still viewed as a revered figure.