Kosovo's Foreign Minister, harsh reaction after the conviction of former UÇK leaders: “Terrible,” “unfair,” and “undeserved”

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca described as “terrible,” “unfair” and “undeserved” the verdict handed down Wednesday in The Hague against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK). He argued that the decision would seriously damage Kosovo’s image and statehood.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers sentenced Hashim Thaci, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi at first instance for war crimes committed during the Kosovo conflict between 1998 and 1999. Thaci and Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years in prison, Veseli to 18 years and Selimi to 13 years.

Kosovo’s acting president, Albulena Haxhiu, stressed that the sentences are not final and called for the right to appeal to be exercised. The Democratic Party of Kosovo denounced a ruling that, in the party’s view, was based on fabricated evidence, while former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj called it unacceptable and unfair.

In Pristina, thousands of people watched the sentencing and protested in support of the UCK. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama also issued critical remarks. The Kosovo war, which ended after NATO’s intervention, was followed by the declaration of independence in 2008, which Serbia does not recognize.