According to Beg, the result of the process was unexpected for the opinion in Kosovo, given the course of the judicial process.
“In fact, the decision has surprised the Kosovar opinion, since such a punishment of the leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army was not expected, when we have the flow of the judicial process as a basis. The court almost did not take into consideration the testimonies or the main witnesses, who explained the way and the time of the creation of the Kosovo Liberation Army”, he said.
Begu mentioned, among others, international witnesses who, according to him, have spoken about the structure and capacities of the KLA during the war in Kosovo. According to him, one of the most debatable issues is the way the court handled the structure of the KLA and the individual responsibility of the four accused.
Begu said that, according to his assessment, these testimonies should be part of the analysis of the way the KLA operated during the war.
“The Kosovo Liberation Army was a volunteer army and that organogram that is presented to the public by the Kosovo Liberation Army was correctly elaborated by former General Clark, by the American diplomat for the Balkans, Christopher Hill, but also by other international leaders,” said the journalist.
Another element of the verdict that was discussed was the fact that the four former leaders were found not guilty of crimes against humanity, while they were convicted of war crimes. Begu considered this distinction important for how the decision will be interpreted.
“The judicial body has used an indicator which goes in favor of the state of Kosovo, but it is completely an indicator that it is freed from the attack on the civilian population and crimes against humanity”, he said.
He said that the main concern, according to him, remains the way the concept of joint criminal enterprise has been handled.
“This is another worrying issue for history and the way Kosovo’s history will be described”, said Begu.
Begu said that he expects the defense to challenge the decision and that the appeal process will also address the way the evidence was evaluated.
“I hope that this matter will be taken even more seriously and that the panel of judges will be appointed as soon as possible, which will be based on the defense party’s complaint. I hope and have full conviction that the appeal will overturn this verdict, for the reason that the testimonies of the main witnesses have not been taken and have not been examined at all”, he said.
The Specialized Chambers in The Hague finished announcing the judgment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi, sentencing them to a total of 81 years of imprisonment.
The former president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, while the former parliamentarian and spokesman of the KLA, Jakup Krasniqi, was sentenced to 25 years. Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years in prison, while Rexhep Selimi was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
The panel found the four accused guilty of a range of war crimes, including illegal or arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and unlawful killing. They were acquitted of crimes against humanity, as well as several other charges and incidents.
