Specialist Prosecutor Kimberly West welcomed the verdict against the four former KLA leaders, calling it an important decision for the rule of law in Kosovo and for justice for the victims.
"The court has confirmed that no individual, regardless of rank or political authority, is above the law and has no immunity from responsibility for serious international crimes," West said, according to a press release.
According to her, the SPO "has not prosecuted the KLA" nor the "war waged for the independence of Kosovo."
“Certain individuals exploited those wartime circumstances to commit serious crimes, and it is to the credit of Kosovo that these individuals are now being held accountable,” West said.
Prosecutor West also said that the SPO will review the entire verdict in the coming days, including the counts of the indictment for crimes against humanity "that did not lead to convictions."
Full announcement
"Special Prosecutor Kimberly West welcomed the verdict announced today in the trial of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi, calling it important for the rule of law in Kosovo and for justice, albeit delayed, for the victims.
The trial panel found that each of the four defendants bears individual criminal responsibility for the war crimes of unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder. Hashim Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, Rexhep Selimi to 13 years and Jakup Krasniqi to 25 years.
"Today's decision, based solely on facts and the law, is important for accountability and the rule of law in Kosovo. The court has confirmed that no individual, regardless of rank or political position, is above the law and has no immunity from responsibility for serious international crimes," said the Specialist Prosecutor.
West emphasized that the issue raised by the Specialist Prosecutor's Office was about individual criminal responsibility and did not call into question any historical narrative.
"The Specialist Prosecutor's Office has held individuals accountable for their actions, in accordance with its mandate, nothing more. The Office has not prosecuted the Kosovo Liberation Army nor the war waged for Kosovo's independence. Certain individuals exploited the circumstances of the war to commit serious crimes and it is to the credit of Kosovo that these individuals are now being held accountable," she continued.
During the presentation of the case, the Specialist Prosecutor's Office presented the testimonies of 125 witnesses in the courtroom, while around 3,000 pieces of evidence in several languages were admitted as material evidence.
In its verdict, the trial panel found that Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi are guilty of the unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention of at least 385 people, cruel treatment of at least 49 people, torture of 303 people and at least 96 murders.
According to the report, these crimes were committed against hundreds of civilians and persons not participating in the fighting, from April 1998 to June 20, 1999, in various municipalities of Kosovo and in two districts of northern Albania.
The Specialist Prosecutor also announced that the Prosecutor's Office will carefully review the entire verdict in the coming days, including the six counts of the indictment for crimes against humanity that did not lead to convictions.
Finally, the Specialist Prosecutor's Office reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and supporting victims' rights as the judicial process moves into the next stages."
