Kosovo's former president sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
Former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes committed during the 1990s independence conflict. The verdict, delivered at The Hague, follows a three-year trial regarding his role as a commander in the Kosovo Liberation Army.
Why it matters
This ruling marks a significant moment in international justice and the historical reconciliation process between Kosovo and Serbia.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Thaci, pictured in 2020
The former president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of war crimes.
A hearing at The Hague on Wednesday sentenced the 58-year-old for crimes during Kosovo's independence war against Serbia in the 1990s, in which more than 10,000 people died.
He was convicted after a three-year trial of crimes including murder, illegal arrests, torture and cruel treatment. A number of other allegations against him were not proven.
Thaci was a co-founder and commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), a group that fought for independence. He is regarded as a hero in Kosovo.
He was accused of killing nearly 100 people and of committing other atrocities including enforced disappearances.
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