A Hague court convicts Kosovo’s former President Thaci of war crimes and sentences him to 25 years

A European Union-backed court on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci of four counts of war crimes committed during his country's war for independence from Serbia and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.

Thaci, who is 58, resigned from office nearly six years ago to face the charges. He was convicted by a panel of judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers of murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention. Both he and the prosecutors, who had asked for a stricter sentence, can appeal.

The judgment was a crushing blow for a man who was once embraced by the West, invited to the 1999 peace talks in France and seen as the leader who could guide Kosovo to independence.

Presiding Judge Charles Smith painted a very different picture, however, saying that Thaci actively participated in and encouraged crimes, including by promoting individuals involved in crimes.