Trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci to begin on Monday

(Patria) - Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, a hero among his compatriots for leading the uprising against Serbian authorities in 1998-99, which ultimately led to Kosovo's independence, will appear before a court in The Hague on Monday on charges of alleged war crimes.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers, based in The Hague, indicted Thaci for war crimes and crimes against humanity in November 2020.

Thaci, former leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), is accused in a 10-count indictment of persecution, murder, torture, enforced disappearance of persons, and other crimes committed during the fight for independence.

The former 54-year-old president resigned as head of state immediately after the indictment was filed and reported to the court's detention unit in The Hague.

Three of his closest associates, including two former parliamentary speakers, face the same indictment as former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters, Hina reports.

Along with Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi are included in the same indictment.

All four are accused of an "unlawful joint criminal enterprise through which mass, systematic attacks" were carried out against Serb civilians in Kosovo and Kosovo Albanians who were political opponents of the KLA.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers aimed to investigate alleged crimes committed by former KLA members against ethnic minorities and political opponents between January 1998 and December 2000.