Kosovo ex-president Hashim Thaçi sentenced to 25 years for war crimes, protests erupt

Kosovo’s former president, Hashim Thaçi, was sentenced by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals to 25 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the 1998‑1999 conflict. The verdict, delivered after a lengthy trial that examined allegations of murder, enforced disappearance and persecution, marks the most severe punishment handed to a senior political figure from the Balkans for the atrocities of that period.

Following the announcement, large crowds gathered in Pristina, where supporters of Thaçi chanted slogans and clashed with police forces tasked with maintaining order. Demonstrators erected barricades, threw projectiles and attempted to breach police lines, prompting authorities to deploy tear gas and make several arrests. The unrest underscores deep political divisions in Kosovo and raises questions about the country’s ability to reconcile its recent past with ongoing efforts to strengthen the rule of law.