Former President Hashim Thaçi has denied the charges against him by the Hague Tribunal, which is seeking 45 years in prison. He said he is innocent.
Among other things, Thaçi congratulated Kosovars on Kosovo's independence.
"I would like to express my congratulations to the citizens of Kosovo on the declaration of Kosovo's independence. I would like to convey from this hall my most heartfelt congratulations on this magnificent holiday. For almost 3 years in this courtroom you have heard the prosecution's accusations and the defense's arguments. You have seen the facts and the truth. There is one truth; the accusations do not hold up! I am completely innocent! But I have said it and I say it again with complete conviction. I sympathize and feel sorry for all the victims," he said.
Today, the final session of closing statements in the case against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, former parliamentarians Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and former MP Rexhep Selimi is being held at the Special Court in The Hague.
The former KLA leaders are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, to which all four have pleaded not guilty. The prosecution has asked for them to be found guilty and sentenced to 45 years in prison each, but the defense teams have argued that there is no evidence for the alleged crimes and have requested their release. After the closing statements, the case will go to the trial panel. The judges have three months to reach a decision on the case, or to request an extension of the deadline for reaching a decision.
