The Specialized Prosecution is not satisfied with the 81-year prison sentence against four former KLA leaders and warns that the judicial battle will continue on Appeal for the counts of the indictment for crimes against humanity.
Although Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi were sentenced to 25 years in prison each, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years, Chief Prosecutor Kimberly West announced that the SPO will carefully review the verdict, especially the six counts of the indictment for crimes against humanity, for which the trial panel did not issue sentences.
Full statement:
Specialist Prosecutor Kimberly West welcomed today’s verdict in the trial of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi, calling it important for the rule of law in Kosovo and delayed justice for the victims.
The trial panel ruled 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 unlawful killing. Mr. Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Mr. Veseli to 18 years, Mr. Selimi to 13 years, and Mr. Krasniqi to 25 years.
“Today’s decision, based solely on facts and law, is important for accountability and the rule of law in Kosovo,” said the Specialist Prosecutor. “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.”
The Specialist Prosecutor emphasized that the legal case that the SPO presented was about individual criminal responsibility and did not question any historical narrative.
“The SPO holds individuals accountable for their actions, in accordance with its mandate, nothing more,” continued Ms. West. “The SPO has not prosecuted the Kosovo Liberation Army, nor the war waged for Kosovo’s independence.
“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.”
In the process of presenting its evidence, the SPO called 125 witnesses to testify directly in the courtroom and presented as evidence approximately 3,000 SPO exhibits in multiple languages.
The trial panel found in its verdict that Messrs. Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi were guilty of unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention against at least 385 persons, cruel treatment against at least 49 persons, torture against 303 persons and unlawful killing against at least 96 persons.
The crimes were committed against hundreds of civilians and non-combatants in a period from April 1998 to June 20, 1999, in municipalities throughout Kosovo and in two districts in northern Albania.
The Specialist Prosecutor also noted that the Office of the SPO will review the entire verdict carefully in the coming days, including the six counts of the indictment for crimes against humanity that did not lead to convictions.
The SPO remains committed to ensuring accountability and supporting the rights of victims as the judicial process moves into subsequent phases./Top Channel