Thousands of people gathered across Kosovo to watch the verdict in the war crimes trial of former President Hashim Thaci and three former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague found Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi guilty of war crimes against civilians and political opponents during the 1998–99 Kosovo War.

The court dismissed the charges of crimes against humanity, but sentenced Thaci and Krasniqi to 25 years in prison, Veseli to 18 years, and Selimi to 13 years.

The verdict was met with shock and anger in Kosovo, where some protesters attempted to damage the EULEX perimeter before police intervened, the DW has reported.

Defense lawyers for all four men said they would appeal the convictions.