World News
Thousands demonstrate in Pristina backing Kosovo ex-president before trial verdict
Thousands rallied to back former President Hashim Thaci ahead of verdicts, ABC News reports.
The short version
- Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Pristina to support former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and three other former commanders.[ABC News]
- The defendants face accusations of murder, torture, and persecution stemming from the 1998-1999 conflict.[ABC News]
- Prosecutors have requested a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison, while all four men deny the allegations.[ABC News]
Key facts
- Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Pristina to support Hashim Thaci and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army commanders.[ABC News]
- Prosecutors have sought a maximum 45-year prison term for Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi.[ABC News]
- All four accused men have denied the war crimes and persecution allegations.[ABC News]
- Officials have denounced the legal proceedings as politically motivated.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The final verdicts and sentencing decisions for the four former commanders remain pending.[ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Kosovo protesters rally in support of ex-president ahead of war crimes trial verdictABC News - International