The Hague Special Court on Kosovo has found former President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci guilty of four counts of war crimes committed during the war of independence from Serbia in 1998-1999, "Associated Press" reports. 58-year-old Thaci was found guilty of murder, torture, ill-treatment and illegal imprisonment. Thaci resigned as president about six years ago to stand trial in The Hague. Three other former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Kadri Veseli, Recep Selimi and Jakup Krasnici, are also indicted in this case. All four did not accept the charges. The trial began in April 2023 and essentially ended in December 2025. 134 witnesses testified during the investigation. The final speeches of the parties took place in February 2026. According to the prosecution, the fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army persecuted political opponents and civilians whom they considered to be supporters of Serbia or traitors. Prosecutors demanded that Thaci and the other three defendants be sentenced to a maximum of 45 years in prison. Moreover, in the official indictment, all four defendants were also charged with crimes against humanity: persecution, illegal detention, other inhumane acts, torture, murder and violence. Disappearances. Among the war crimes, illegal and arbitrary hasty arrests, cruel treatment, torture and murders were mentioned. Thaci is one of the most famous figures of the war period in Kosovo. He participated in the armed struggle against the Serbian forces, in 1999 he headed the Kosovar delegation in Rambouillet, and after the war he started political activities. In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia. On the eve of the announcement of the verdict, thousands of people took to the streets of Pristina in support of Thaci and the other defendants, demanding their acquittal. The special chambers for Kosovo issues were created with international participation and are located in The Hague. Military, crimes against humanity and other crimes committed in Kosovo in 1998-2000 are under their jurisdiction.