Name? Hashim Thaçi
Westphalian identity? Kosovar
Age? 58
Why is he in the news? Last week former President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes committed during the Kosovo War (1998-1999). The trial took place at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, which was established to exercise jurisdiction over war crimes and crimes against humanity under Kosovo law that were committed in Kosovo during and after the war. Thaçi, together with three other former members of parliament, has been found guilty of being responsible for the war crimes of arbitrary detention of 385, torture of 303, cruel treatment of 49, and the murder of 96 individuals.
Why do we care? Thaçi declared the independence of Kosovo from Serbia as its first Prime Minister in 2008. Throughout his terms in power, which lasted until his resignation as President in 2020, he acted as a key partner for the US, Türkiye, and NATO. Thaçi’s resignation after the Kosovo Specialist Chambers confirmed an indictment against him ended his role in the negotiations with Serbia that he had continued as President, as well as his role in Kosovo for a wider push for international recognition.
Why should you care? Thaçi’s conviction symbolises progress in accountability for wartime crimes for Serbia, yet for Kosovo, it is seen as a challenge to the legitimacy of the war of independence.
Who else cares? Prime Minister Edi Rama called Thaçi’s conviction of shame, in line with the country’s consistent support for Kosovo’s independence, which dates back to 2008 when the country became the first to recognise Kosovo. Given that the Kosovo Specialist Chambers EU-funded and backed, Albania’s candidacy to join the Union could be threatened by their open support for Thaçi.
Any further comments? Although the trial lasted nearly 3 years, Thaçi’s verdict and sentence can still be appealed through the multi-stage appeals procedure.
