Specialist Chambers convict former KLA leaders — Thaci and Krasniqi 25 years, Veseli 18, Selimi 13

The Specialist Chambers in The Hague sentenced four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) for war crimes committed during the 1998–1999 conflict. Hashim Thaci and Jakup Krasniqi received 25-year prison terms, Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years.

Key findings of the panel

The court concluded that while the four defendants were not guilty of crimes against humanity, they were individually responsible for war crimes connected with the unlawful detention of at least 385 people. The panel determined these acts took place between April 1998 and June 1999 across 12 municipalities in Kosovo and one district in Albania.

According to the judgment, operations linked to the unlawful detentions also resulted in the deaths of 96 persons who were not actively participating in the fighting. The ruling states that the accused acted together and shared a common criminal purpose: they established detention facilities, assigned roles and positions to others to carry out the plan, and ensured effective impunity for those who committed the crimes.

The court assigned particular responsibilities to each defendant. It says Hashim Thaci played a central role, appointed loyalists to command positions, retained control over the KLA and ensured full implementation of the plan. Jakup Krasniqi was found to have significantly contributed to the common criminal purpose and to have encouraged crimes against those viewed as opponents, yet failed to take steps to prevent or punish illegal detentions, abuses and killings.

Kadri Veseli was judged to have taken part in and encouraged the commission of crimes and to have acted jointly with the others to realise the shared criminal objective. Rexhep Selimi, serving on the KLA General Staff, was said to have played a key role in setting up operational zones which he visited regularly.

The sentences are first-instance and the convicted men have the right to appeal the decision.

Photo: EPA/ARBEN LLAPASHTICA