Verdict in Thaci war crimes trial to be delivered in The Hague on Sept 16
A verdict for former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci and three co-defendants will be announced in The Hague on Sept 16, sparking protests by ethnic Albanian supporters across Europe.
A verdict in the war-crimes and crimes-against-humanity case against former Kosovo president Hashim Thaci and three other senior figures—Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi—will be read on Sept 16 at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The trial, long delayed and contested, has drawn accusations that the court is biased against the Kosovo one outlet Army’s “just war,” prompting protests in Pristina, Tirana, Skopje, Strasbourg and The Hague.
Ethnic Albanian supporters, organized in part by KLA Veterans Organisation head Hysni Gucati, intend to travel from across Europe to attend the announcement, insisting the defendants will be cleared. The case has also been shadowed by claims of fake news, hate-speech campaigns and several witness-intimidation charges and convictions. Observers note that the outcome could influence Kosovo’s political dynamics and the credibility of international war-crimes tribunals. The hearing will be closely watched by regional and global audiences.
