Kosovo ex-president Thaci faces Hague war crimes verdict

A Kosovo war crimes tribunal on Wednesday will hand down its ruling in a three-year trial of former President Hashim Thaci and several commanders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the 1998-1999 independence war with Serbia.

Thaci, a former KLA political leader, and former high-ranking KLA guerrillas Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi and Kadri Veseli, have all pleaded not guilty to multiple counts including murder, torture and persecution.

Prosecutors have requested 45-year prison sentences for each defendant.

Prosecutors have said KLA forces killed more than 100 political opponents and perceived collaborators with Serbian security forces during and just after the Kosovo war.

This included prisoners held at KLA facilities in Kosovo and Albania, along with politically motivated murders of Serb, Albanian and Roma civilians.

The defense has argued that the senior KLA figures could not control or be held responsible for such acts, as the group lacked a strict command structure.

Lawyers have argued there is no direct evidence linking Thaci's command to any of the alleged crimes.

"I expect to be acquitted of every charge," Thaci said in August.