# Kosovo's former president sentenced to 25 years for war crimes

> Hashim Thaçi held criminally responsible for crimes during Kosovo's violent break from Serbia in the 1990s.
- Title: Kosovo's former president sentenced to 25 years for war crimes
- Summary: Hashim Thaçi held criminally responsible for crimes during Kosovo's violent break from Serbia in the 1990s. Former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi received a…
- Keywords: hashim thaçi, kosovo, war crimes, the hague, international court, kosovo liberation army, kla, serbia, rexhep selemi, kadri veseli, jakup krasniqi, pristina
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/world/live/2026/sep/16/european-union-ursula-von-der-leyen-eu-europe-latest-news-updates
- Published: 2026-09-16T15:04:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hashim thaçi, kosovo, war crimes, the hague, international court, kosovo liberation army, kla, serbia, rexhep selemi, kadri veseli, jakup krasniqi, pristina
## 25 years for Thaçi
Former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi sentenced to 25 years in prison by international court in The Hague for war crimes during the 1990s conflict.
## From commander to president
Thaçi led the Kosovo Liberation Army during the violent break from Serbia before becoming president. He denied all charges against him.
## Four senior KLA leaders on trial
Prosecutors targeted Thaçi alongside Rexhep Selemi, Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, all senior figures in the KLA's leadership from 1998 to 1999.
## Campaign of murder and torture
The four men allegedly directed murder, torture and repression against opponents and ethnic minorities during the war against Serb forces.
## Deeply unpopular proceedings
The trial recalls brutal conflict where both Serbian and Kosovan forces committed war crimes. The proceedings are deeply unpopular in Kosovo and Albania.
## Supporters gather for verdict
Thaçi's supporters assembled in Pristina to listen to the verdict being delivered at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
## Key takeaway

Former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi received a 25-year prison sentence from The Hague for war crimes committed during the 1998-1999 conflict.