India, Sept. 17 -- Convictions against four former senior Kosovo officials over wartime abuses have been welcomed by Amnesty International as a significant step toward justice for victims of the 1998-99 Kosovo war.
Four Former Officials Convicted
The Kosovo Specialist Chamber found former President Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi guilty of several war crimes. The charges included arbitrary detention involving 385 people, cruel treatment of 49 people, torture of 303 people and murder of 96 people.
The court sentenced Thaci and Krasniqi to 25 years in prison each, while Veseli received 18 years and Selimi 13 years. The sentences include credit for time already served. The four were acquitted of charges related ...