Rexhep Selimi found guilty by The Hague trial panel – sentenced to 13 years in prison

More than five years after their arrest, Rexhep Selimi has been found guilty by the trial panel of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, Telegrafi reports.

Despite having said throughout the lengthy trial that he had fought for Kosovo to be free and regretted not a single day spent on the war fronts — even that if the country were at war today he would be fighting — the trial panel, presided over by Charles Smith III, found him guilty and sentenced him to 13 years in prison.

Selimi was arrested in November 2020, while the trial began in April 2023.

Rexhep Selimi was transferred to the detention centre in The Hague in November 2020. Throughout the proceedings, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The indictment includes war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Prosecution said in this case that during the 1998–1999 war period, murders, persecution, imprisonment/detention, torture and other acts were committed against various persons.

Thus, from the start of the trial to the close of the evidence procedure, more than two and a half years passed. The Prosecution closed its presentation on 15 April 2025.

Six charges of crimes against humanity – persecution, imprisonment, other inhumane acts, torture, unlawful killing, enforced disappearance of persons, Telegrafi reports.

Four charges of war crimes – unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture, unlawful killing.

The Special Court found today, 16 September 2026, that there were no war crimes after 20 June 1999. As such, the charge of crimes against humanity has fallen for each of the four KLA leaders.

The closing statements were held in February 2026.

After the evidence concluded on 18 December 2025, the parties filed their final briefs and the closing statements were held on 9–18 February 2026.

Edili Project supports this special coverage from The Hague. /Telegrafi/