The appeal process could change the sentences imposed by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague on September 16 on four former leaders of the Kosova Liberation Army, according to Nevenka Tromp, a researcher at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The court found Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi guilty of war crimes.

Meanwhile, Tromp has closely followed the cases against the four former KLA leaders. In an interview with Radio Free Europe, she said a partial change to the verdict was more likely than a complete revision.

Earlier, Tromp described what she called an “original sin” of the Specialist Chambers. According to her, the institution was conceived to “satisfy” Serbia rather than serve as a genuine institution for determining responsibility.

She said the court was created in 2015 as a price for continued Western support for Kosova. Tromp said this came with the expectation that concessions to Belgrade would lead to recognition of Kosova’s independence.

Meanwhile, Tromp said the verdict has consequences beyond the individual responsibility of the four former KLA leaders. She highlighted the finding of a “joint criminal enterprise.” She also pointed to references in the verdict to people who were not defendants in the case.

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