81 years in prison in total for Thaçi, Krasniqi, Veseli and Selimi, protesters explode in the streets of Pristina: KLA!

The Special Court in The Hague announced today the verdict against four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, in one of the most closely watched court processes related to the Kosovo war.

Hashim Thaçi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, bringing the total sentences for the four defendants to 81 years in prison. The verdict relates to charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity alleged during and after the 1998-1999 conflict. Thaçi was found guilty of acts including murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention.

The decision comes after a lengthy court process. The four former KLA leaders were arrested and transferred to The Hague on November 4 and 5, 2020, and their trial began on April 3, 2023. The evidentiary proceedings concluded in December 2025, while closing statements were delivered in February 2026.

Reactions and protests in Pristina

The Court's decision has been met with strong reactions in Kosovo. In Pristina, citizens and supporters of former KLA leaders have taken to the streets, chanting in support of the Kosovo Liberation Army and holding Albanian flags and KLA symbols.

Thousands of people had gathered in Pristina just days before the verdict was announced, in a solidarity protest with Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi. The rally included chants in support of the KLA, while protesters opposed the trial in The Hague.

The four former KLA leaders faced a 10-count indictment in The Hague, including charges of persecution, imprisonment, other inhumane acts, torture, murder and enforced disappearance, as crimes against humanity, as well as unlawful and arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder as war crimes. All four defendants have denied the charges.

Their trial has been closely watched in Kosovo, where the KLA is considered by many citizens to be a liberation force. In the days leading up to the verdict, massive protests were held in Pristina in support of the four former leaders, and today's decision is expected to have wide repercussions in Kosovo and the region.

Today's decision is of first instance and the parties have the right to appeal.

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