US Edition
Thaci urges judges to acquit him in Kosovo war crimes case at The Hague
Prosecutors seek 45-year sentences for Thaci and co-defendants accused of killing over 100 opponents during Kosovo's 1998-99 conflict, while supporters rally for their acquittal.
- On Feb 18, Hashim Thaci, former president and former Kosovo Liberation Army leader, urged judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague to acquit him, saying only full acquittal would be just.
- The case stems from allegations that during the 1998-99 uprising KLA leaders committed crimes; Hashim Thaci and three co-accused were arrested in 2020 and face charges of persecution, murder, torture and forced disappearances.
- On Tuesday, supporters marched in Pristina and pressed against the glass during Thaci's speech as prosecutors asked for a 45-year sentence and witnesses provided 'overwhelming evidence,' prosecutor Kimberly West said.
- Judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers must now wait likely months before issuing verdicts, and Thaci also faces a separate trial on charges of intimidating witnesses starting later this month.
- Many Kosovars say the proceedings rewrite their history, with ties between Kosovo and Serbia remaining tense despite EU talks, amid more than 13,000 dead and about 1 million displaced.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Thaci and the other three defendants committed crimes against those they considered opponents in order to secure control over Kosovo, the prosecutor said.
After several years of proceedings and ten days of final pleadings, international justice is about to decide on a major issue related to the Kosovo war. The judges began their deliberations on Wednesday evening, 18 February, and the accused delivered their final words to the court.
Hashim Thaci is said to be responsible for war crimes. Now his trial in The Hague is coming to an end.
SRN News
Kosovo's Thaci defends innocence ahead of Hague war crimes ruling
By Fatos Bytyci PRISTINA, Feb 18 (Reuters) – Kosovo’s former President Hashim Thaci told judges at his war crimes trial in The Hague on Wednesday that justice cannot be served by “prosecuting the innocent”. Thaci and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army commanders are charged with persecution, murder, torture and forced disappearances of people during […]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
