War crimes tribunal to rule on former Kosovo president Thaci

A war crimes tribunal will unveil a ruling on Wednesday for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, who faces charges stemming from a 1990s fight over independence from Serbia.

Thaci, 58, and three other elite leaders of the ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) face 45-year sentences from prosecutors. They deny all charges and seek acquittal.

Kosovo's cities have set up giant displays to clock down to the judgment, which begins at 10 a.m. in The Hague (0800 GMT). At a rally in Pristina on Saturday, thousands demanded the men's release.

The trial revealed the lingering impact of the 1990s Balkan wars and opinions on racially heated matters following Yugoslavia's split.

Last week's public funeral for Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic, who died in prison for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, revealed a polarized public attitude toward the 1990s Balkan wars.

The Thaci trial in Kosovo may impact relations with the West, particularly the US, and increase tensions with Serbia, which does not recognize Kosovo as an independent entity, according to political analysts.

Thaci and the other commanders are accused of persecuting, murdering, torturing, and forced disappearances of Kosovo Albanians and Serbs during and after the 1998-99 rebellion that granted Kosovo independence from Serbia.

Over 100 political opponents and believed collaborators with Serbian security services were executed during a KLA power grab, according to prosecutors.

According to Thaci's lawyers, the claims are false and an attempt to rewrite history. The alleged crimes and control of other KLA leaders were not directly linked to Thaci during the 'TECTONIC EVENT.'forcing

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers, where international judges and lawyers work, are highly disliked in Kosovo. International pressure forced Pristina to accept the tribunal in 2015, which prosecutes ex-KLA militants for war crimes.

To avoid witness intimidation, prosecution witnesses testified behind closed doors, leading to Kosovars' suspicion of the institution. Hashim Thaçi is a revered Kosovo hero and liberation fighter. Mentor Plakaj, a Pristina local, advised him to return.

Agon Maliqi, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center, called the verdict a tectonic event. Thaci served as Kosovo's president from 2016 to 2020 and prime minister from 2008 to 2014.

Should Thaci be acquitted and released, his pro-Western opposition party may gain control in Kosovo politics and restore trust in collaboration with the West on regional security.

According to Maliqi, Kosovo politics is highly split, particularly regarding Western connections. According to Maliqi, if Thaci is found guilty, Kosovo may further distance itself from the West than it has under Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The verdict will also exacerbate ethnic tensions in Kosovo, as emotions will be high and radical forces, including external actors, may have incentives to provoke tensions.

He noted that Belgrade's response could affect long-term peace prospects with Serbia.

ShIf Thaci iscquitted of war crimes allegations, he may face a six-year term for witness tampering. Thaci denies such claims.