The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi announced Thursday, November 5, his resignation.

A decision taken in order to face his indictment by The Hague Special Court on war crimes during the conflict against Serbian forces in the late 1990s. 

Hashim Thaçi, 52, the former political leader of the independence rebellion (UCK), has dominated Kosovar political life for two decades.

"As I promised, I will not allow under any circumstances to appear before the Court as President of the Republic of Kosovo," he told a press conference.

"Accordingly, in order to defend the integrity of the office of President and of Kosovo, as well as the dignity of its citizens, I resign from the post of President of the Republic of Kosovo." 

"Rewrite History" 

Hashim Thaçi has always proclaimed his innocence in the conflict of 1998-99, accusing international justice of "rewriting history".

Most people in Kosovo see the conflict as a "just war" against the Serbian oppressor.  

"These are not easy times for me and my family, and for those who have supported and believed in me during the past three decades of fighting for freedom, independence and nation building," he added. 

His indictment for murders, disappearances, persecutions and torture was made public in June.  

In announcing the confirmation of this indictment by a judge, Hashim Thaçi did not specify which charges had been retained.

He however promised to "collaborate closely with justice". 

Kosovo war 

His close ally, Kadri Veseli, former intelligence chief of the Kosovar guerrillas, also announced Thursday the confirmation of his indictment by the court in The Hague. 

The KSC is a Kosovar law body made up of international judges and charged with investigating crimes committed by the KLA, Kosovar separatists, during and after the conflict of 1998-99, mainly against Serbs, Roma and Kosovar guerrilla opponents. 

This special court sits in the Netherlands to protect witnesses who are under pressure and threats. 

The last conflict in the former Yugoslavia, the war in Kosovo between Serbian forces and Kosovar-Albanian independence guerrillas left more than 13,000 dead, mostly Albanians.

It ended when a Western bombing campaign forced Serbian forces to withdraw. 

With AFP

The summary of the week

France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR