The trial of Hashim Thaci, the former president and leader of the KLA guerrilla force, is nearing its conclusion before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The prosecution has requested a 45-year prison sentence for the accused, charging him with crimes against humanity and war crimes. Thaci consistently pleads not guilty, arguing that his actions served to defend the freedom and dignity of the Kosovar people.

High Sentence Sought

The prosecution in The Hague is demanding 45 years in prison for the former president for war crimes and the murder of civilians.

Thaci's Defense Line

The accused, Hashim Thaci, claims the charges are unfounded and defends his role as a freedom fighter.

Awaiting the Verdict

The court needs several months to analyze the evidence before announcing the final verdict.

In THE HAGUE, closing arguments have concluded in the trial against Hashim Thaci and three other leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Prosecutors accused the former president of leading structures responsible for murders, torture, and the persecution of civilians between 1998 and 1999. According to the accusers, Thaci and his associates are responsible for the illegal imprisonment of hundreds of people and numerous killings of political opponents and ethnic minorities. Consequently, the prosecution is demanding the maximum sentence, 45 years in prison, for each of the four defendants. The conflict in Kosovo erupted in the late 1990s as an armed uprising by ethnic Albanians against Yugoslav rule. NATO's intervention in 1999 led to the withdrawal of Serbian forces, ultimately paving the way for Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008. During his Wednesday address to the court, Hashim Thaci rejected all charges, calling them unfounded. „Throughout my life, I have stood by the people of Kosovo, defending freedom, life, and dignity.” — Hashim Thaci He emphasized that this trial is an attempt to rewrite the history of the struggle for independence. The defense argues that the prosecution's charges are not supported by evidence and that the accused were statesmen guided by democratic ideals. The judges now have several months to issue the final verdict in this complex case. The decision of the tribunal, established as the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, will be crucial for assessing the historical legitimacy of the KLA's actions. The international community is closely following this trial, which evokes strong emotions and a sense of injustice within Kosovo itself. 45 years — in prison threatens leaders of the Kosovar guerrilla The prosecution argues that justice requires punishing those at the top of the command hierarchy, regardless of their later political merits. It was indicated that the victims of the accused's actions included not only Serbs but also Albanians deemed collaborators. The verdict in this case is expected before the end of 2026, concluding one of the most important trials concerning crimes in the former Yugoslavia. Key Stages of the Thaci Trial: 5 November 2020 — Resignation and Arrest; 3 April 2023 — Trial Begins; 11 February 2026 — Prosecution's Demands; 18 February 2026 — Thaci's Closing Speech

Mentioned People

  • Hashim Thaci — Former President of Kosovo and one of the founders of the KLA organization, accused of war crimes.
  • Janis Fahrländer — Foreign editor for SRF covering the trial.