The Trial Panel at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has found former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi criminally responsible for war crimes.

Presiding Judge Charles Smith presented the panel’s findings today during the first-instance judgment hearing.

The panel found the four accused criminally responsible for arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder as war crimes. The court also found that they acted together in pursuing a common criminal purpose.

According to Judge Smith, the four jointly established detention facilities, appointed individuals to positions linked to that purpose and issued statements that promoted their policies and positions.

The panel also found that the accused helped ensure impunity for those responsible for crimes.

Regarding Hashim Thaçi, the panel found that he made a substantial contribution to the implementation of the common criminal purpose. Smith said Thaçi played a key role and appointed loyal individuals to various positions to maintain control within the KLA.

The panel further found that Thaçi knew about a significant number of crimes against people considered opponents. According to the judgment, he failed to take steps to prevent or punish those crimes. The panel also found that he personally participated in crimes and helped spread false information about them.

Kadri Veseli was also found to have made a substantial contribution to the common criminal purpose. According to the panel, he acted together with the other accused, participated in crimes and encouraged their commission.

The panel found that Rexhep Selimi encouraged and participated in crimes in various ways. Smith also referred to Selimi’s involvement in the arrest of 13 people in Qirez.

Meanwhile, the panel found that Jakup Krasniqi made a substantial contribution to the common criminal purpose and played a key role in the policy of targeting people considered opponents.

According to Smith, Krasniqi encouraged crimes against opponents through statements, political declarations and orders.

The panel found that the crimes were serious and widespread. They affected 14 municipalities in Kosovo and two districts in northern Albania.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers had scheduled the public pronouncement of the first-instance judgment for September 16, 2026. The trial began in April 2023, while evidentiary proceedings closed in December 2025. Closing statements took place in February 2026.

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