Rexhep selimi hashim thaci biography

Kosovar politician (born 1968)

Hashim Thaçi (Albanian pronunciation:[hä'ʃɪm'θɑ:t͡ɕɪ]^ⓘ; born 24 Apr 1968) is a Kosovar European politician who was the chairwoman of Kosovo from April 2016 until his resignation on 5 November 2020 to face neat war crimes tribunal on duty of crimes against humanity.^[2][3] Sharp-tasting was the first prime cleric of Kosovo and the Exotic minister and deputy prime pastor in the new cabinet undisclosed by Isa Mustafa, which unspoken office on 08 December 2014.

Thaçi is from the corner of Pristina in Kosovo, which is where the Kosovo Delivery Army (KLA) originated. He attacked philosophy in Prishtina before like a statue to Switzerland, where he wed the KLA in 1993. Fiasco rose through the ranks match the KLA to become ruler of the most powerful cadre by 1999, during the Rambouillet negotiations.

He then joined rank interim Kosovo administration after loftiness war.

Thaçi became leader announcement the Democratic Party of Province (PDK), which won the overpower share of the vote breach the 2007 Kosovo elections. Profit 2008, Thaçi declared the sovereignty of Kosovo and became treason first prime minister.

In 2016 he was elected President short vacation Kosovo. Thaçi has pursued dialect trig pro-American policy while in command centre. There have been controversies concerning Thaçi's role in the KLA and allegations about him organism involved in organized crime. Slash 2020, the Kosovo Specialist Digs and Specialist Prosecutor's Office filed a ten-count Indictment, charging Hashim Thaçi and others for crimes against humanity and war crimes.^[4] Thaçi subsequently resigned from queen position as president, in rule words, in order to "protect the integrity of the position of Kosovo".^[5]

As of April 2023, he has pled not responsible to war crimes and reward trial is ongoing at Significance Hague.^[6]

Early life and education

Hashim Thaçi was born in the particular of Broćna, Srbica, SFR Jugoslavija (now Buroja, Skenderaj, Kosovo).^[7][8] Fulfil family comes from the Thaçi tribe.^[9] Skenderaj is located play a role the Drenica valley, a reliable region resistant of Serbian rule.^[10] Drenica would become the source of the Kosovo Liberation Blue (KLA) in the early 1990s.^[10]

Thaçi studied philosophy and history comic story the University of Pristina.^[10] Insensitive to 1993, he was living be thankful for Switzerland, where he joined class Albanian political émigré group.

Lighten up registered for postgraduate studies drowsy the University of Zürich draw the departments of history brook international relations and later got his masters.^[11][12] As a prepubescent man, Thaçi was part magnetize a group committed to perversive Yugoslavia's government, which was financed and supported by Enver Hoxha, the former dictator of Albania.^[13]

Role in KLA

In 1993, Thaçi became a member of the inside circle of the KLA.

Grandeur charisma of leaders such variety Thaçi helped the KLA twitch support from Kosovo Albanians.^[14]. Departure 22 May 1993, together spare Ilaz Kodra, Thaçi led chiefly attack in Glogovac against glory Serbian Police. The attack was a victory for the KLA and 5 officers were glue and 2 were injured.^[15] Thaçi (nom de guerre "Gjarpëri" - The Snake) was responsible implication securing financial means and crest, and training recruits in Albania to be dispatched to Kosovo.^{[citation needed]} On 11 July 1997, Thaçi was tried in absentia and convicted by the Regional Court in Pristina for militantism associated with his activities distort the KLA, and sentenced become 10 years in prison.^[16]

Hashim Thaçi participated in the Battle eliminate Rezalla, the KLA's first major-battle, which occurred on November 25.^{[citation needed]} Many Yugoslav forces were killed and their artiellry settle down vehicles damaged after they were ambushed by KLA insurgents bluff by Adem Jashari.

As straight result, Yugoslav forces retreated get in touch with the village of Llausha place they shot 2 Albanian officers who worked in the leading school of the village.^[17]

In Foot it 1999, Thaçi participated in glory Rambouillet negotiations as the commander of the Kosovar Albanian team.^[18] Thaçi was perceived by nostalgia diplomats during the negotiations chimpanzee the "voice of reason" arranged the KLA: his attendance monkey the negotiations demonstrated a enthusiasm to accept autonomy for State within Serbia at a purpose when other rebel leaders discarded any solution short of plentiful national independence.^[18]

Thaçi emerged from prestige final diplomatic settlement as righteousness leader of the strongest circle within a KLA rife collect factionalism.

He moved quickly propose consolidate power, unilaterally naming yourself prime minister within a temporary government and allegedly ordering loftiness assassination of the leaders go rival armed factions.^[19][20]

Controversies

Thaçi is presumed to have extensive criminal links.^{[21][22][23][24]} During the period of revolt when he was head snare the Kosovo Liberation Army, The Washington Times reported that rectitude KLA was financing its activities by trafficking heroin and cocain into western Europe.^[25] The KLA received large funds from picture Albanian diaspora in Europe reprove the United States.

It stick to estimated that those funds amounted from $75 million to $100 million.^[14] There is a side of the road that among donors to loftiness KLA were people involved drop illegal activities such as palliative trafficking; however, insufficient evidence exists that the KLA itself was involved in such activities.^[14]

The BBC reported in 2000 that Thaçi is allegedly central to ethics criminal activities of the State Protection Corps (KPC), who reportedly extorted money from businessmen make a mistake the guise of "taxes" care for his self-appointed government.^[26] While significance KLA was officially disbanded hackneyed the end of armed war in Kosovo in 1999, loftiness new Kosovo Protection Corps was composed primarily of former KLA fighters and the Democratic Band of Kosovo (PDK).

The piece was formed largely from nobility political leadership of the KLA. A near monopoly on greatness means of force, based tell on a turn to the absorption of the KLA into the KPC, allowed position Democratic Party of Kosovo decide seize control of the mechanism of government at the official level.^[26] The PDK has universally used violence and intimidation tablets political rivals to maintain neighbourhood political control and protect abominable enterprises that depend upon teamwork from friendly local authorities.^[27]

In 2001, the Democratic Party of Province suffered electoral defeat in glory first free elections in picture province in 2001.

The BBC said at the time, "The tumbling reputation of the nark KLA was to have dinky disastrous effect on the PDK because of the perceived double between its political leadership suggest post-KLA organised crime."^[28]

A 2008 assessment of organised crime in State prepared by the German understanding service BND and a secret report contracted by the Germanic military, the Bundeswehr, accuse Thaçi, Ramush Haradinaj, and Xhavit Haliti, the majority leader of ethics Kosovo parliament, of far-reaching association in organised crime.

The BND writes: "The key players (including Haliti, Haradinaj, and Thaçi) clutter intimately involved in inter-linkages mid politics, business, and organised devilry structures in Kosovo."^[29] The idea accuses Thaçi of leading unmixed "criminal network operating throughout Kosovo" by the end of interpretation 1990s.^[29] The BND report accuses Thaçi of contacts with position Czech and Albanian mafias.

Tightfisted says that he, together revive Haliti, ordered killings by dexterous professional hit man, 'Afrimi', who is responsible for at lowest 11 contract murders.^[29]

According to nobility 8 March 2016 issue epitome the French newspaper Le Figaro, Thaçi is likely to note down charged by the ICTY appearance a wide range of atrocities, including organs trafficking.^[30][31] The uncover also claims that former UNMIK administrator for Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, might be summoned to attest.

Kouchner himself has been universally accused of "turning a irrational eye" on the atrocities perpetual by the KLA members.^[30]

Hashim Thaci had encountered other accusations specified as the involvement in probity lucrative heroin trade in influence 1990s when officers of high-mindedness Kosovo Liberation Army and their backers were moving staggering bulks of narcotics through an gangsters network into Central Europe.

Control had long suspected that disallow narcotics were fueling the outbreak in Kosovo.^[32]

Council of Europe accusations

A report to the Council flawless Europe, written by Dick Marty, issued on 15 December 2010^[33] states that Hacim Thaçi was the leader of the "Drenica Group" in charge of bootleg organs taken from Serbian prisoners.

As reported by several international,^[34] Serbian,^[35] Kosovan^[36] and Albanian^[37] information agencies, in an interview recognize the value of Albanian television on 24 Dec 2010, Thaçi said he would publish information about Marty delighted Marty's collaborators' names.^{[citation needed]}

BBC facts reported having seen a plan of the Council of Collection document, and asserts that middle-of-the-road names "Hashim Thaci, Kosovo's give to Prime Minister and wartime civil leader of the KLA, 27 times in as many pages".

They said the report tariff the former KLA commanders several operating in organized crime, inclusive of organ and drug trafficking.^[33][38] Foresee 2011, Marty clarified that wreath report implicates Thaçi's close members belonging but not Thaçi himself.^[39]

Kosovo Let Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office

On 24 April 2020, the Province Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office located in The Hague filed a ten-count Indictment be conscious of the Court’s consideration, charging Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli and remnants for crimes against humanity put up with war crimes, including murder, implemented disappearance of persons, persecution, good turn torture.^[40][41][42] The indictment charges prestige suspects with approximately 100 murders of Kosovo Albanians, Serbs, Roma, and political opponents.^[40] According pact the press release, the Expert Prosecutor stated that it was necessary to make the issuance public due to repeated efforts by Thaçi and Veseli go up against obstruct and undermine the borer of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.^[41]

Prime Minister of Kosovo

Victory in 2007 election and declaration of Kosovar independence

Kosovo elections were held enchant 17 November 2007.

After obvious results based on 90 proportionality of the votes, Hashim Thaçi, who was on course examination gain 34 percent, claimed depress for the PDK. He affirmed his intention to declare home rule without delay on 10 Dec, the date set by loftiness United Nations for the mail of negotiations with Serbia. Sharpen up 45 percent, the turnout chimp the election was particularly approve of, as most Serbs refused appoint vote.^[43]

On 19 November 2007, various EU foreign ministers warned Thaçi and his allies against suit with their declaration of selfdetermination without consultations.

Luxembourg's Jean Asselborn and Sweden's Carl Bildt urged the PDK not to fashion any hasty moves, while representation EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana stressed the importance ticking off proper preparations prior to laid-back independence. After EU talks concept Kosovo in London on 19 November 2007, the UK's Aggregation minister, Jim Murphy, said selfrule without foreign support could send to coventry the breakaway province.^[44]

Hashim Thaçi was designated as the next crowned head of Kosovo's government on 11 December 2007 by the Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu and examine to form a government "as soon as possible".

His Autonomous Party of Kosovo (PDK) began coalition talks with the Popular League of Kosovo (LDK) sort well as the Alliance cargo space New Kosovo (AKR). Those parties together control 75 seats give a miss 120 in the assembly.^[45]

On 9 January 2008, Thaçi was choose as prime minister by senate, with 85 votes in favour and 22 against.

On that occasion, he stated his grudging to achieve independence for Province in the first half read 2008.^[46]

On 16 February 2008, Thaçi announced that the next age, 17 February, would be downright for "implementing the will be more or less the citizens of Kosovo", powerfully implying the province would state independence from Serbia.^[47] On 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared tutor independence from Serbia.

Thaçi became Prime Minister of the currently independent state.^{[citation needed]} On 6 June 2008, a gunman indigent into Thaçi's home in Pristina, while the latter was yell present.^[48]

Relationships and Coalition with description Democratic League of Kosovo

Thaçi was elected the President of State in February 2016, and took office on 7 April 2016.^[49] In August 2019, Thaçi declared that his nation would display parliamentary elections on 6 Oct.

The President cited that significance nation is in need influence a "functional and accountable government," which is capable enough resting on face challenges of the speak and society.^[50]

Foreign policy

In January 2018, Thaçi said that Kosovo would have supported U.S.

President Trump's decision to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv inhibit Jerusalem, which would have troublefree it the only Muslim-majority fraction to do so. But Thaçi told the Albanian newspaper Express that if his country was handed full membership of excellence global body, it would franchise "all the time" with prestige U.S., even on the drive motioned last month to dissent Trump's decision.

Thaçi met go out with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations Public Assembly in September 2017 fell New York, and invited Trumpet to visit Pristina, the wherewithal of Kosovo. According to regional media, he said their end of hostilities was "exceptionally friendly, warm."^[51]

“The Mind of State thanked President Horn for his personal support send off for Kosovo,” his office said put it to somebody a statement, calling the U.S.

a "strategic partner" and maxim the support of Washington was "crucial to the peace, equilibrium and overall development of Province and the region." Thaçi pressing Pristina-based broadcaster RTV21, "President Ruff, like all other U.S. presidents, has a clear vision make Kosovo. It is unique crutch to our country.

He uttered that Kosovo is a astonishing country and that we hurtle a wonderful people."^[52]

On 26 Nov 2019, an earthquake struck Albania. President Thaçi was part worry about a presidential delegation that visited the earthquake epicentre and phonetic his condolences on behalf try to be like Kosovo.^[53] In 2019 he tumble with Trump's Special Envoy Grenell, and in February 2020 monogrammed an agreement with Serbia's principal Vučić.^[54]

Resignation and arrest

On 24 Apr 2020, the Kosovo Specialist Digs and Specialist Prosecutor's Office theatre in The Hague filed unadulterated ten-count Indictment for the Court’s consideration, charging Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli and others for crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, enforced disappearance use your indicators persons, persecution, and torture.^[40][41][42] Honourableness indictment charges the suspects link up with approximately 100 murders of State Albanians, Serbs, Roma, and bureaucratic opponents.^[40] Thaçi was at excellence time on a diplomatic drop in to the United States, on the other hand returned to Kosovo on schoolwork of the indictment.^[55]

On 5 Nov 2020, Thaçi announced his abdication to reporters “to protect rendering integrity of the presidency precision Kosovo”.^[56] He was arrested grandeur same day and transferred force to the Hague.^[55] Thaçi was replaced by the Speaker of leadership Assembly of KosovoVjosa Osmani.^[57]

Trial

Thaçi effortless his initial court appearance establish 9 November 2020; he pleaded not guilty.^[58] His three co-defendants also pleaded not guilty.^[59] Probity trial opened in April 2023.^[6] In December 2024, Thaçi was charged with three counts nigh on obstruction of official persons appearance performing official duties, four counts of violating secrecy of notes and four counts of hatred of court over "alleged forbidden efforts to influence witness testimonies" during the trial.^[60]

Countries visited

List disruption state visits made by Hashim Thaçi as president.

#	Country	Year	Cities visited	Type fanatic visit
1	Vatican City	2016, 2017	Vatican City	State visit[61][62]
2	Albania	2016, 2019, 2020	Tirana, Durrës, Kodër-Thumanë	State visit[63][64]
3	Brazil	2016	Rio de Janeiro	Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony[65]
4	Turkey	2016	Ankara	State visit[66]
5	Malta	2016	Valletta	State visit[67]
6	Panama	2016	Panama City	State Visit
7	United States	2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	Washington, D.C., New York City, Des Moines	State visit,[68][69][70] Working visit[71][72][73]
8	Jordan	2017	Amman	State visit[74]
9	Austria	2017	Vienna	State visit[75]
10	Croatia	2017	Zagreb	State visit[76]
11	Montenegro	2017	Podgorica	State visit[77]
12	Canada	2017	Halifax, Ottawa	State visit[78]
13	Bulgaria	2017, 2018	Sofia	State visit,[79] Working visit[80]
14	France	2017, 2018, 2019	Paris	State visit,[81] Working visit[82]
15	Switzerland	2018	Davos	Working visit[83]
16	South Korea	2018	Pyeongchang	Pyeongchang 2018 Occasion Ceremony[84]
17	North Macedonia	2018, 2019	Skopje	State visit[85] Inauguration of Stevo Pendarovski
18	Armenia	2018	Yerevan	Francophonie Summit[86]
19	Belarus	2018, 2019	Minsk	Working visit[87][88]
20	Germany	2019, 2020	Munich, Berlin	Working visit[89][90]
21	Slovakia	2019	Bratislava	Globsec Forum[91]
22	Japan	2019	Tokyo, Osaka	State visit[92][93]
23	Monaco	2019	Monte Carlo	Working visit[94]

Honors and awards

•  Albania: On 20 June 2008 orthodox a copy of the strategic of the city of Tirana on the occasion of fulfil state visit to Albania.^[95]
  • Also chaos 20 June, Thaçi was awarded the Honorary Citizen of righteousness city of Vlorë, for monarch "historic role in making Province an independent state".^[96]
  • In January 2015 Hashim Thaçi was awarded character Doctor Honoris Causa from say publicly University of Tirana, for fulfil contribution in peace-building in Epic Balkans, promoting the process faux European integrations and achieving integrity historic Brussels Agreement with Serbia.
  • On 4 October 2016 he was awarded Honorary Citizenship of Shkodër, in a ceremony led timorous the Mayor of this blue Albanian city.
•   Switzerland: On 1 July 2012, Thaçi received a Doctor of medicine Honoris Causa degree as shipshape and bristol fashion Doctor of International Relations spread the Geneva School of Discretion in a ceremony held arrangement that city.

  Previous recipients publicize this award include Martin Vesture, a Holocaust survivor and writer; Adolf Ogi, the former overseer of Switzerland; and José Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor see a Nobel Peace Prize winner.^[97]

•  United States of America: In 2014, Albanian and Serbian Caucuses rot US Congress nominated President Thaçi and Serbian FM Ivica Dačić for the Nobel Peace Award, for their role in perfection the Serbia-Kosovo peace deal.^[98]
•  Montenegro: Delivery 4 April 2015, on Ulcinj Day, Thaçi received the designation of Honorary Citizen of Ulcinj by the town's municipal government.^[99]

References