# Security and law enforcement incidents in Kosovo > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/security-and-law-enforcement-incidents-in-kosovo > Updated: 2026-09-19T16:36:40.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 2. The Specialized Kosovo Court in The Hague has issued war crimes verdicts against four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi received 25-year sentences, Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi received 13 years. The court found the defendants guilty of crimes including the unlawful imprisonment of 385 people, torture of 303 people, cruel treatment of 49 people, and the killing of 96 people. However, the defendants were acquitted of crimes against humanity, as the prosecution failed to prove a widespread or systematic attack against civilians. These verdicts have triggered significant unrest and widespread protests. In Prishtina, citizens have gathered nightly in Skënderbeu Square to express solidarity with the KLA leaders. Protesters have called for increased government support for the legal defense of the former leaders and have demanded changes to the law governing the Specialized Court. The Kosovo Police have deployed resources to manage these demonstrations and have addressed reports of dangerous driving by masked individuals. While social media claims suggested citizens were being targeted for displaying KLA symbols, police denied these allegations, stating interventions are strictly due to traffic safety and legal violations. International opposition has also emerged, with the Albanian community in New York organizing protests ahead of the UN General Assembly to voice opposition to the ruling. Furthermore, the court has initiated victim compensation procedures, a move that has sparked legal debate regarding whether such processes should be deferred until a final, non-appealable verdict is reached. ## Claims - Hashim Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The legal verdict against the individuals does not affect the legal status of Kosovo's independence. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The Special Kosovo Court sentenced four former KLA leaders. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years in prison. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Rexhep Selimi was sentenced to 13 years in prison. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The President of the Trial Panel, Charles L. Smith, ordered the start of victim compensation procedures on September 16. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The court found the leaders guilty of war crimes but not crimes against humanity. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Kosovo Police arrested five suspects for serious theft in the Leposaviq area. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The theft occurred while the homeowner was abroad. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The stolen items were taken from a home in the village of Kneževo Berdo. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Stolen items included a vehicle, a motocultivator, three generators, and other tools. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-19: KLA leaders sentenced to prison by Specialized Kosovo Court The Specialized Kosovo Court sentenced former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli, and Rexhep Selimi to prison for war crimes, sparking nightly mass protests in Prishtina. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leposaviq-five-arrested-for-serious-theft-of-property ### 2026-09-14: Kosovo Police deny reports of emergency security fortification Kosovo Police denied unconfirmed media reports claiming the country was being fortified ahead of a Hague decision, stating that security planning for large gatherings is standard procedure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kosovo-police-deny-reports-of-emergency-security-fortification --- Cite as: Security and law enforcement incidents in Kosovo. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/security-and-law-enforcement-incidents-in-kosovo