Key Takeaways
- Kosovo’s ex-president Hashim Thaçi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes.
- Mass protests erupted in Pristina as supporters clashed with police.
- Thaçi, who also served as prime minister, was found guilty of war crimes by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Kosovo’s ex-president Hashim Thaçi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes, a verdict that has sparked mass protests in the capital, Pristina.
According to reports, thousands of Thaçi’s supporters took to the streets, chanting and clashing with police, creating a tense atmosphere in the city.
The sentence was handed down by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, which found Thaçi guilty of murder, torture, cruel treatment, and arbitrary detention.
Thaçi, who also served as prime minister, was tried in absentia, as he had fled the country following the charges.
The verdict was livestreamed in Pristina, where tens of thousands of people had gathered, expecting his acquittal.
The protests, which turned violent, highlight the deep divisions in Kosovo regarding the handling of war crimes and the rule of law.
Pristina has been on high alert, with security forces deployed to maintain order and prevent further clashes.
The sentence is seen as a significant step in Kosovo’s efforts to address past atrocities and bring justice to victims and their families.
