Kosovo: Anger and disappointment over the convictions of KLA leaders

11 September 2026

OBCT

KLA leaders Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi, and Selimi were convicted by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers of war crimes for actions during the 1998-1999 conflict.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and three other leaders from the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)—Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi—were convicted by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers of war crimes committed between April 1998 and June 20, 1999. They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 13 to 25 years for counts including illegal detention, cruel treatment, torture, and murder. The panel found that these individuals worked together toward the common criminal purpose of achieving Kosovo’s independence. While they were convicted of war crimes, they were acquitted of charges related to crimes against humanity. Reactions in Kosovo included anger and disappointment following the ruling.

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