A European Union-backed court in The Hague convicted former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi of war crimes on Wednesday and sentenced him to 25 years in prison.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers found Thaçi, 58, guilty of arbitrary detention of 385 people, cruel treatment of 49, torture of 303 detainees and the murder of 96 individuals as part of a joint criminal enterprise during the 1998-1999 Kosovo war. The panel acquitted him and three co-defendants on six counts of crimes against humanity.

Presiding Judge Charles Smith said Thaçi actively participated in and encouraged the crimes, including by promoting individuals involved and showing a ruthless ability to eliminate political impediments to his leadership. The victims included perceived political opponents among Kosovo Albanians, as well as members of ethnic minorities.

Thaçi resigned as president nearly six years ago to face the charges. He and the other defendants, all former senior commanders in the Kosovo Liberation Army, maintained their innocence throughout the trial. Prosecutors had sought a maximum 45-year sentence.

Co-defendants received the following terms: Jakup Krasniqi, 25 years; Kadri Veseli, 18 years; and Rexhep Selimi, 13 years. All sentences include credit for time already served.

The verdict drew immediate anger from Thaçi supporters in Kosovo, where many view the former KLA leaders as national heroes for their role in the fight for independence from Serbia. Demonstrations took place in Pristina, and scuffles occurred outside the court in The Hague.

The trial focused on crimes committed by KLA forces against civilians and political rivals rather than the broader conflict, which also involved documented atrocities by Serbian forces. Both Thaçi and prosecutors have the right to appeal the judgment.

The case has highlighted deep divisions in Kosovo over accountability for wartime actions by all sides.