The Specialized Chambers in The Hague have finished announcing the verdict 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 Thaçihas been sentenced to 25 years in prison, while the former speaker and spokesman of the KLA, Jakup Krasniqihas also been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years in prison, while Rexhep Selimi with 13 years imprisonment.
The jury found the four former KLA leaders guilty of a number of war crimes, including illegal or arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and unlawful killing, while acquitting them of crimes against humanity and some of the other charges and incidents.
During the reading of the judgment, the court emphasized that the responsibility of the four is individual, but concluded that they they had acted together within a common goal.
According to the court’s findings, Hashim Thaçi had a key role in the formulation and implementation of the common goal, while Kadri Veseli made a substantial contribution to its implementation and, according to the court, was involved in the identification and targeting of opponents.
Rexhep Selimi, according to the verdict, had a role in the creation and operation of operational areas, the appointment of persons in key positions and was aware of crimes against opponents. While Jakup Krasniqi was found responsible for contributing to the structures and bodies of the KLA, as well as for the knowledge that, according to the court, he had of detentions, ill-treatment and illegal killings.
The judgment announced today is of the first instance and the parties have the right to appeal the decision. After the announcement of the sentences, the session in the Specialized Chambers in The Hague is closed.
