The war crimes trial against Kosovo’s former president is coming to an end. The burden of proof is overwhelming, says prosecutor Kimberly West.
afp/ap | The trial against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and three other defendants is nearing a verdict. Prosecutor Kimberly West said Monday at the start of closing arguments in the trial before the European Union-backed Kosovo Special Court in The Hague that there was overwhelming evidence that the defendants were guilty of torturing and murdering people they considered traitors in the 1998-1999 war of independence against Serbia. The “seriousness of the allegations” against Thaci “have not diminished over time,” West said.
Witnesses and victims were so desperate to get the truth out that they were willing to risk a “climate of intimidation” by testifying, West said. According to evidence presented in court testimony, Thaci, former parliamentary speakers Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and ex-MP Rexhep Selimi, as commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), pursued a policy of persecuting political opponents and civilians whom they viewed as collaborators and traitors, West said.
Thaci maintained his complete innocence
The acts that the defendants are accused of are said to have occurred between 1998 and September 1999 in Kosovo and northern Albania, both during and after the war. The public prosecutor’s office has demanded 45 years in prison for all defendants.
Thaci had resigned from office in 2020to defend themselves against the allegations. He is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes on ten counts. At the start of the trial in 2023 he had protested his complete innocence. The other defendants also repeated protestations of innocence that they had made in hearings before the trial.
The court in The Hague was set up following a 2011 report by the Council of Europe. It is part of the Kosovo justice system, but is staffed internationally. This orientation is carried by the Concern for the safety of witnesses Invoice. In 2022, the court convicted two leaders of a Kosovo veterans’ association. They were accused of intimidating witnesses by publishing confidential documents. Another trial for intimidating witnesses is also set to begin shortly against Thaci.
Thaci and his co-defendants are still revered as heroes in Kosovo. A solidarity rally is planned in the capital Pristina on February 17, the last day of the trial, which coincidentally falls on Kosovo’s national holiday.
Together for a free press
As a cooperative, we belong to our readers. And our journalism is not only 100% non-corporate, but also accessible free of charge. We make all articles freely available, without a paywall. Especially in these times, classifications and information must be accessible to everyone. Our readers don’t have to pay anything, but they know that critical, independent journalism doesn’t emerge from nothing. We are very grateful for that. So that we can continue to do our journalism tomorrow, we need more support. Our next goal: 50,000 – and with your participation we can do it. Set an example for the taz and for the future of our journalism. With just 5 euros you are there!
Support now