Congressman Self Warns The Hague Against Political Bias in Thaçi Verdict: “The Balkans Are a Powder Keg”

U.S. Congressman Keith Self has voiced concern over the possibility that, in his view, political considerations could influence the decisions of the justice institutions in The Hague.

His reaction comes ahead of the expected verdict in the case against former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi and three other former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

In a post on the X platform, Self said a repeated concern has surfaced in cases linked to The Hague regarding the alleged influence of political bias in decision-making processes.

“A continuing theme that is coming out of The Hague seems to be allowing political bias to influence their decisions,” Self wrote.

He expressed hope that such an influence would not be present in the verdict expected this week against Thaçi and the three other former KLA leaders.

“I hope such bias does not appear this week when a decision is given in the trial of Hashim Thaçi and three Albanian civilians who fought for independence from years of Serbian oppression,” the U.S. congressman stated.

Self also linked the case to the political and security situation in the Balkans, warning of the risk that tensions and divisions could affect the region’s stability.

“The Balkans are a powder keg in a region where oppressive regimes would like nothing more than to fan the flames of division rather than work toward reconciliation,” he wrote.

The U.S. congressman’s reaction comes at a time when attention is focused on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague and the verdict in the case against Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. /Telegrafi/