Kosovo Protests Erupt After KLA Leaders Convicted of War Crimes

Thousands of demonstrators rallied across Kosovo, particularly in Pristina, following the conviction of former President Hashim Thaçi and three other Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commanders. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague sentenced Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi to 25 years, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years for murder, torture, and unlawful detention during the 1998-99 war for independence from Serbia. While the court acquitted the men of crimes against humanity, the verdicts sparked nationwide unrest and a unanimous condemnation by Kosovo's legislative assembly.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, visiting the region, maintained that the rulings were delivered by independent judicial institutions and must be respected. Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that the verdicts contain factual, historical, and legal errors, expressing his expectation that they be corrected on appeal. In contrast, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dačić welcomed the convictions, describing them as a warning.

The unrest coincides with a domestic political crisis for the Kurti administration. The Prime Minister faces an October 6 deadline to agree on a new president with opposition groups to avoid another early election. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Kosovo has proposed legislation to limit the mandate of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.