German Ambassador and French Ministry on the Verdicts Against Former KLA Leaders

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Rainer Rudolf, stated that the Kosovo Liberation Army and its goal—the creation of an independent state—were not the subject of the trial of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi.

On the occasion of the verdict, the ambassador emphasized that it “does not absolve Yugoslav actors of responsibility for the armed conflict and mass human rights violations against the population of Kosovo at the end of the 1990s, which have already been the subject of investigations by international courts and which prompted the intervention of the international community.”

“As the presiding judge stated during the pronouncement of the verdict, the Kosovo Liberation Army itself was not on trial, nor was its goal of creating an independent Kosovo,” the ambassador noted.

The German ambassador said that Berlin has supported the work of the Specialist Chambers from the very beginning, convinced that they make a significant contribution to the prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity, also contributing to strengthening the rule of law and bringing Kosovo closer to the European Union.

“By establishing the Specialist Chambers and cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo has shown that it fulfills its responsibility, including the prosecution of war crimes, as an independent and sovereign state,” he stated.

The German ambassador called on all parties to respect the verdict and the dignity of the victims.

France today, following the conviction by the Specialist Chambers against senior KLA officers, reaffirmed its unwavering support for the independence and institutions of Kosovo.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs stated that it has taken note of the decision in the case of “Thaçi and others,” reminding that the parties have the right to appeal.

“The verdict, which can be appealed, marks the end of first-instance proceedings before the Specialist Chambers, except for cases relating to obstruction of justice,” reads the statement on the French ministry’s website.

Official Paris has once again confirmed its support for the Specialist Chambers and its commitment to fighting impunity.

“France also reaffirms its unwavering support for the independence of Kosovo and its institutions,” the statement continues.

The trial chamber in The Hague found four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army guilty of war crimes of unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture, and unlawful killing. Thaçi and Krasniqi were sentenced to 25 years in prison each, Veseli to 18 years, while Selimi was sentenced to 13 years in prison.