Former Kosovo President Behgjet Pacolli has expressed concern over the latest request by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague, which has sought 45-year prison sentences for former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), warning that the move could damage the perceived fairness of the judicial process.
Pacolli Criticizes Severity of Sentencing Request
Pacolli described the prosecution’s sentencing demand as disproportionate and inconsistent with fundamental principles of justice, arguing that such a request could weaken public confidence in the Specialist Chambers.
“The prosecutor’s request for 45-year prison sentences against KLA leaders represents an unfair approach and contradicts the core principles of justice,” Pacolli stated. “Such a request risks undermining the perception of the process’s impartiality and public trust in fair decision-making.”
Call for Evidence-Based Judgments
The former president stressed that any judicial verdict must be grounded in clear and concrete evidence, emphasizing the importance of individual accountability rather than generalized accusations.
Pacolli also highlighted the need for the Kosovo conflict to be evaluated within its historical and political context.
“The liberation war of the people of Kosovo is a historical and political reality that must be addressed within its full context,” he said, adding that justice and any sentencing demands must comply with international law, universal legal standards, and the principle of individual responsibility.
Ongoing Sensitivities Surrounding Hague Proceedings
The Specialist Chambers, established to investigate alleged war crimes connected to the 1998–1999 Kosovo conflict, continues to generate strong political and public reactions across Kosovo and the wider region.
Criticism from senior political figures, including Pacolli, reflects ongoing debate about the balance between accountability for alleged crimes and recognition of the KLA’s role in Kosovo’s independence struggle.
The court has repeatedly stated that its mandate is to ensure fair and independent legal proceedings based solely on evidence and rule of law standards.
