Stevic: We should be satisfied with the judgment, it showed that Albanians also committed crimes

Journalist from North Mitrovica Lazar Stevic said that the convictions of the former KLA leaders in The Hague had been expected, although Serbs had hoped they would receive the maximum sentence of 45 years sought by the Prosecution. He added that there was reason to be satisfied with the judgment because it demonstrated that Albanians had also committed crimes during the war in Kosovo.

“To some extent, the judgment was expected. Although the Prosecution sought 45 years, they received sentences of 25, 18 and 13 years. I cannot say to what extent justice has been served, because we Serbs expected them to receive the maximum sentence, primarily because of what they did during the war in 1999. Nevertheless, we should also be satisfied with this because it has shown that it was not only Serbs who committed crimes during the war, but that Albanians also took part in such acts and that people were killed and kidnapped by their side as well,” Stevic told Kosovo Online.

He said he expected reactions from Pristina but hoped there would be no escalation.

“We know what messages have been coming from their side, both from their leaders and from certain politicians. I hope there will be no major escalation on the ground that could ultimately be borne by the Serbs, who fear that, God forbid, there could even be a repeat of March 17, 2004, and we know what happened then. I hope the international community will now take the problems and threats more seriously, respond in time and prevent any incident,” Stevic said.

Hashim Thaci and Jakup Krasniqi were sentenced at first instance today to 25 years’ imprisonment each for war crimes. Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years, while Rexhep Selimi received a 13-year prison sentence.

The Trial Panel found Thaci, Krasniqi, Selimi and Veseli guilty of war crimes committed against civilians and persons who were not actively participating in hostilities. According to the Panel’s judgment, they were found guilty of the war crime of arbitrary detention involving 385 persons, cruel treatment involving 49 persons, torture involving 303 persons, and the war crime of murder involving 96 persons.