Tears and grief in “Skënderbeg” Square after the sentencing of the former KLA leaders

Tears and grief dominated “Skënderbeg” Square in Pristina after the verdict against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army was announced at the Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

The Trial Panel found Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi guilty of the criminal offenses set out in the verdict, sentencing them to a total of 81 years in prison.

Hashim Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Jakup Krasniqi to 25 years, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years.

Time spent in detention will count toward serving the sentence, according to the court’s decision.

The verdict was also followed live in Pristina, where hundreds of citizens had gathered in “Skënderbeg” Square in front of the giant screen set up to broadcast the session from The Hague.

After the sentences were announced, tearful and grieving citizens were seen in the square, while the atmosphere noticeably darkened.

Photographs taken by the Telegrafi photojournalist in “Skënderbeg” Square reflect citizens’ reactions after the verdict was announced.

The case against Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi relates to charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, for events from March 1998 to September 1999.

The trial began on April 3, 2023, while the evidence proceedings were concluded in December 2025.

Edili Project is supporting this special coverage from The Hague. (via Telegrafi)

Burimi: https://24-ore.com/lot-dhe-pikellim-ne-sheshin-skenderbeu-pas-denimit-te-ish-krereve-te-uck-se/