[Published: Friday September 18 2026]
 Kosovo: War crimes convictions of former president 'shows senior officials are not above the law'
LONDON, 17 Sept. - (ANA) - Reacting to the convictions for war crimes of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi by the Kosovo Specialist Chamber, Esther Major, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe, said:
“These convictions give hope to thousands of victims of the Kosovo war who have waited for more than two decades to get justice for the horrific crimes committed against them and to know the fate of their loved ones.
“These convictions show that senior officials are not above the law.
“These verdicts give hope that any attempt to obstruct justice, truth and reparation will not be tolerated, and that the victims and relatives of the missing will finally see justice.”
Background
The Trial Panel of the Kosovo Specialist Chamber found the four former officials guilty of the war crimes of arbitrary detention against 385 individuals, cruel treatment against 49 individuals, torture against 303 individuals, and murder against 96 individuals.
The Trial Panel sentenced Hashim Thaçi to 25 years of imprisonment, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, Rexhep Selimi to 13 years and Jakup Krasniqi to 25 years in prison, with credit for time already served.
They were found not guilty of the charges of crimes against humanity.
These verdicts were first instance decisions and could be subject to appeal. - (ANA) -
AB/ANA/18 September 2026 - -
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