The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, has now stepped down from office to face a 10-count indictment in a special court in the Hague, alongside four other government officials including former Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, and three other former commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). 

The special court and prosecutor’s office were created following a 2011 report by the Council of Europe which included longstanding allegations that Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters trafficked human organs taken from prisoners and killed Serbs and fellow ethnic Albanians.

What Crimes Were Committed?

The specialist prosecutor’s office alleged that the indictment of Mr Thaçi and others were linked to crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, enforced disappearance,  sexual violence, organ trafficking, persecution and torture and murder of up to a hundred people. Thaci has since travelled to the Hague to face a tribunal on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Kosovo – Serbia war that happened between 1998-2000. 

“We are a freedom-loving people and not vengeful,” Thaçi said at a news conference in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital before his departure, explaining his resignation while denying any wrongdoing. “That is why no claim may rewrite history. Kosovo has been the victim. Serbia has been the aggressor.” The court confirmed his arrival in The Hague on 5 November and released a redacted version of his indictment, which was filed in April but confirmed by a judge on October 26.

What Next for Kosovo?

Parliament Speaker Vjosa Osmani will now take over presidential duties as mandated by Kosovo’s constitution. Conversations about a successor were in play in Kosovo as Thaçi’s term was due to end in April 2021. Osmani will remain acting president till elections are held and another candidate elected. Ramush Haradina of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo is seen to have popular support as a replacement for Mr Thaçi.