A European Union-backed court in the Hague on Wednesday convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci of four counts of war crimes committed during his country’s war for independence from Serbia and sentenced him to 25 years in prison, AP reports.

Thaci, who is 58, resigned from office nearly six years ago to face the charges. He was convicted by a panel of judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers of murder, torture, cruel treatment, and arbitrary detention.

Thaci resigned from the presidency about six years ago to stand trial in The Hague. Three other former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, are also indicted in the case. All four have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial began in April 2023 and was effectively concluded in December 2025. A total of 134 witnesses testified during the trial. The parties' closing arguments were held in February 2026.

According to the prosecution, the fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army persecuted political opponents and civilians whom they considered supporters of Serbia or traitors. Prosecutors demanded that Thaci and the other three defendants be sentenced to a maximum of 45 years in prison.

Moreover, the official indictment charged all four defendants with crimes against humanity: persecution, unlawful detention, other inhumane acts, torture, murder, and enforced disappearances. The war crimes included unlawful and arbitrary summary detention, cruel treatment, torture, and murder.

On the eve of the verdict, thousands of people took to the streets in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina, to support Thaci and the other defendants, demanding their acquittal.