Hashim Thaçi#Early life and education

Hashim Thaçi was born in the village of Burojë, Skenderaj, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo).{{cite web|title=CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST TACI {sic}, SEJDIU, KRASNICI|url=http://www.mfa.gov.rs/Bilteni/Engleski/b180208_e.html}}{{cite web |date=23 December 2010 |title=Dosije Hašima Tačija |trans-title=Hashim Thaçi's File. |url=http://www.pecat.co.rs/2010/12/dosije-hasima-tacija/ |publisher=Pecat}} His family comes from the Thaçi tribe.{{Cite book |last=Elsie |first=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AaamDwAAQBAJ&q=Hashim%2520Tha%C3%A7i%2520tribe&pg=PT240 |title=The Tribes of Albania: History, Society and Culture |date=2015-04-24 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-0-85773-932-2 |language=en}} Skenderaj is located in the Drenica valley, a historical region resistant of Serbian rule.{{sfn|Andrejevich|2009|p=107}} Drenica would become the birthplace of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in the early 1990s.{{sfn|Andrejevich|2009|p=107}}

Thaçi studied philosophy and history at the University of Pristina.{{sfn|Andrejevich|2009|p=107}} By 1993, he was living in Switzerland, where he joined the Albanian political émigré group. He registered for postgraduate studies at the University of Zürich in the departments of history and international relations and later got his masters.{{cite web |date=28 February 2016 |title=A e ka kryer fakultetin në Zvicër Hashim Thaçi? |trans-title=Has Hashim Thaçi completed university in Switzerland? |url=http://zeri.info/aktuale/78424/a-e-ka-kryer-fakultetin-ne-zvicer-hashim-thaci-video/ |work=Lajmet e fundit - Zëri}}{{cite web |title=Thaçi nuk është themeluesi i UÇK dhe nuk ka diplomë nga Universiteti i Zyrihut |trans-title=Thaçi is not the founder of the KLA and does not have a diploma from the University of Zurich. |url=http://www.gazetadita.al/thaci-nuk-eshte-themeluesi-i-uck-dhe-nuk-ka-diplome-nga-universiteti-i-zyrihut/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002085731/http://www.gazetadita.al/thaci-nuk-eshte-themeluesi-i-uck-dhe-nuk-ka-diplome-nga-universiteti-i-zyrihut// |archive-date=2 October 2020 |access-date=4 April 2016}} As a young man, Thaçi was part of a group committed to overthrowing Yugoslavia's government, which was financed and supported by Enver Hoxha, the former dictator of Albania.{{Cite book |last=Kort |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ar_0gj6dXx4C&q=Hashim%2520Tha%C3%A7i%2520Enver%2520Hoxha&pg=PA233 |title=The Handbook of the New Eastern Europe |date=2001-01-01 |publisher=Twenty-First Century Books |isbn=978-0-7613-1362-5 |language=en|quote=As a young man Thaci belonged to a group committed to overthrowing Yugoslavia's government that was financed and backed by Enver Hoxha}}

In 1993, Thaçi became a member of the inner circle of the KLA. The charisma of leaders such as Thaçi helped the KLA gain support from Kosovo Albanians. On 22 May 1993, together with Ilaz Kodra, Thaçi led an attack in Glogovac against the Serbian Police. The attack was a victory for the KLA and 5 officers were killed and 2 were injured.{{Cite news |last=Rathfelder |first=Erich |date=2007-12-10 |title=Hashim Thaci in Kosovo: Die Häutung der Schlange |trans-title=Hashim Thaci in Kosovo: The Shedding of the Snake. |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/hashim-thaci-in-kosovo-die-haeutung-der-schlange-a-522026.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349 |quote=Am 25. Mai überfiel er mit einigen Genossen die Eisenbahnlinie bei Glogovac, vier serbische Polizisten wurden dabei getötet. 1996 soll Thaci nach serbischen Angaben bei Peje (Pec) einen serbischen Polizeiwagen beschossen und Handgranaten in den serbischen Armeestützpunkt in Vucitrn geworfen haben. Wegen dieser Anschläge wurde er im Juli 1997 in Abwesenheit zu zehn Jahren Gefängnis verurteilt. (German) On May 25th he and some comrades attacked the railway line near Glogovac, killing four Serbian police officers. In 1996, according to Serbian information, Thaci shot at a Serbian police car near Peje (Pec) and threw hand grenades into the Serbian army base in Vucitörn. He was sentenced in absentia to ten years in prison for these attacks in July 1997. (English)}} Thaçi (nom de guerre "Gjarpëri" − The Snake) was responsible for securing financial means and armaments, and training recruits in Albania to be dispatched to Kosovo.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}} On 11 July 1997, Thaçi was tried in absentia and convicted by the District Court in Pristina for terrorism associated with his activities in the KLA, and sentenced to 10 years in prison.{{cite news |date=20 April 2015 |title=BG odgovorio Tačiju: Bićeš uhapšen |trans-title=BG responded to Thaçi: You will be arrested. |url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2015&mm=04&dd=20&nav_category=640&nav_id=982736 |publisher=B92 |language=sr}}

Hashim Thaçi participated in the Battle of Rezalla, the KLA's first major-battle, which occurred on November 25.{{cn|date=December 2024}} Many Yugoslav forces were killed and their artillery and vehicles damaged after they were ambushed by KLA insurgents led by Adem Jashari. As a result, Yugoslav forces retreated to the village of Llausha where they shot 2 Albanian teachers who worked in the primary school of the village.{{Cite web |last=Geci |first=Rrustem |date=20 September 2016 |title=Liria perendesha e fitoreve |trans-title=Liberty, the goddess of victories. |url=https://www.radiokosovaelire.com/rrustem-geci-liria-perendesha-e-fitoreve/ |website=radiokosovaelire.com}}

In March 1999, Thaçi participated in the Rambouillet negotiations as the leader of the Kosovar Albanian team.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04EFD81338F930A35751C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|work=The New York Times|title=Ethnic Albanian Guerrillas Will Attend Talks on Kosovo|first=Carlotta|last=Gall|date=3 February 1999|access-date=4 May 2010}} Thaçi was perceived by western diplomats during the negotiations as the "voice of reason" within the KLA: his attendance at the negotiations demonstrated a willingness to accept autonomy for Kosovo within Serbia at a time when other rebel leaders rejected any solution short of full national independence.

Thaçi emerged from the final diplomatic settlement as the leader of the strongest faction within a KLA rife with factionalism. He moved quickly to consolidate power, unilaterally naming himself prime minister within a provisional government and allegedly ordering the assassination of the leaders of rival armed factions.{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E1DD1539F935A35755C0A96F958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|work=The New York Times|title=Crisis in the Balkans: The Guerrillas; Kosovo Rebel Force Will Be Serbian Province's New Power Broker|first=Chris|last=Hedges|date=6 June 1999|access-date=4 May 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F07E2DF153AF936A15755C0A96F958260|work=The New York Times|title=Crisis in the Balkans: The Separatists; Leaders of Kosovo Rebels Tied to Deadly Power Play|first=Chris|last=Hedges|date=25 June 1999|access-date=4 May 2010}}

Thaçi is alleged to have extensive criminal links.{{cite book|author1=Dipak Basu|author2=Victoria Miroshnik|title=Structural Revolution in International Business Architecture: Political Economy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PHD-CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA109|date=2 December 2015|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-1-137-53578-8|pages=109–}}{{cite book|author1=David L. Phillips|author2=Nicholas Burns|title=Liberating Kosovo: Coercive Diplomacy and U. S. Intervention|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X5sa90AEvi0C&pg=PA211|date=20 July 2012|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-30512-9|pages=211–212}}{{cite book|author=Michael J. Boyle|title=Violence after War: Explaining Instability in Post-Conflict States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RTE_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA42|date=24 March 2014|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-1-4214-1258-0|pages=42–}}{{cite book|author1=Jan Koehler|author2=Christoph Zurcher|title=Potentials of Disorder: Explaining Conflict and Stability in the Caucasus and in the Former Yugoslavia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_C6rxHwEkN4C&pg=PA69|date=6 September 2003|publisher=Manchester University Press|isbn=978-0-7190-6241-4|pages=69–}} During the period of time when he was head of the Kosovo Liberation Army, The Washington Times reported that the KLA was financing its activities by trafficking heroin and cocaine into western Europe."KLA finances fight with heroin sales - Terror group is linked to crime network"; Jerry Seper. Washington Times, Washington, D.C.: 3 May 1999. pg. A.1 The KLA received large funds from the Albanian diaspora in Europe and the United States. It is estimated that those funds amounted from $75 million to $100 million. There is a possibility that among donors to the KLA were people involved in illegal activities such as drug trafficking; however, insufficient evidence exists that the KLA itself was involved in such activities.{{cite book|author=Henry H. Perritt|title=Kosovo Liberation Army: The Inside Story of an Insurgency|year=2010|publisher=University of Illinois Press|pages=13/88–93}}

The BBC reported in 2000 that Thaçi is allegedly central to the criminal activities of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC), who reportedly extorted money from businessmen under the guise of "taxes" for his self-appointed government.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/699175.stm|work=BBC News|title=Kosovo gripped by racketeers|date=5 April 2000|access-date=4 May 2010}} While the KLA was officially disbanded at the end of armed conflict in Kosovo in 1999, the new Kosovo Protection Corps was composed primarily of former KLA fighters and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). The party was formed largely from the political leadership of the KLA. A near monopoly on the means of force, based on the absorption of the KLA into the KPC, allowed the Democratic Party of Kosovo to seize control of the machinery of government at the municipal level. The PDK has regularly used violence and intimidation of political rivals to maintain local political control and protect criminal enterprises that depend upon cooperation from friendly local authorities.{{Cite news |title=Political violence in run-up to Kosovo vote |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2000/0815/p9s1.html |access-date=2025-05-30 |work=Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729}}

In 2001, the Democratic Party of Kosovo suffered electoral defeat in the first free elections in the province in 2001. The BBC said at the time, "The tumbling reputation of the former KLA was to have a disastrous effect on the PDK because of the perceived overlap between its political leadership and post-KLA organised crime."{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/999166.stm|work=BBC News|title=Analysis: Kosovo chooses normality|date=30 October 2000|access-date=4 May 2010}}

A 2008 analysis of organised crime in Kosovo prepared by the German intelligence service BND and a confidential report contracted by the German military, the Bundeswehr, accuse Thaçi, Ramush Haradinaj, and Xhavit Haliti, the majority leader of the Kosovo parliament, of far-reaching involvement in organised crime. The BND writes: "The key players (including Haliti, Haradinaj, and Thaçi) are intimately involved in inter-linkages between politics, business, and organised crime structures in Kosovo." The report accuses Thaçi of leading a "criminal network operating throughout Kosovo" by the end of the 1990s. The BND report accuses Thaçi of contacts with the Czech and Albanian mafias. It says that he, together with Haliti, ordered killings by a professional hit man, 'Afrimi', who is responsible for at least 11 contract murders.{{Cite web |title=BND Kosovo affair: German spy affair might have been revenge - WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/english-news/article2806537/German-spy-affair-might-have-been-revenge.html |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}

According to the 8 March 2016 issue of the French newspaper Le Figaro, Thaçi is likely to be charged by the ICTY for a wide range of atrocities, including organs trafficking.{{cite web|title=Le Figaro: Kouchner might testify against Thaci|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/news/le-figaro-kouchner-might-testify-against-thaci-170815/|website=Gazetaexpress.|date=9 March 2016 |access-date=7 April 2016 |author1=Gazetaexpress }}{{cite web |date=8 March 2016 |title=A peine élu, le président du Kosovo risque d'être inculpé |trans-title=Hardly elected, the president of Kosovo risks indictment. |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2016/03/08/01003-20160308ARTFIG00153--peine-elu-le-president-du-kosovo-risque-d-etre-inculpe.php |access-date=7 April 2016 |website=Le Figaro}} The paper also claims that former UNMIK administrator for Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, might be summoned to testify. Kouchner himself has been regularly accused of "turning a blind eye" on the atrocities committed by the KLA members.

Hashim Thaci had encountered other accusations such as the involvement in the lucrative heroin trade in the 1990s when officers of the Kosovo Liberation Army and their backers were moving staggering amounts of narcotics through an underworld network into Central Europe. Police had long suspected that illegal narcotics were fueling the revolt in Kosovo.[https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/KLA-Linked-To-Enormous-Heroin-Trade-Police-2932516.php "KLA Linked To Enormous Heroin Trade / Police suspect drugs helped finance revolt"] sfgate. Accessed 4 April 2023.

A report to the Council of Europe, written by Dick Marty, issued on 15 December 2010{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/14/kosovo-prime-minister-llike-mafia-boss|title=Kosovo PM is head of human organ and arms ring, Council of Europe reports|author=Paul Lewis|work=The Guardian|date=14 December 2010|location=London, UK}} states that Hacim Thaçi was the leader of the "Drenica Group" in charge of trafficking organs taken from Serbian prisoners. As reported by several international,{{Cite news |last=Evropa |first=Radio Slobodna |date=2010-12-25 |title=Tači će objaviti spisak Albanaca koji su pomagali Martiju |trans-title=Thaçi will publish a list of Albanians who helped Marty. |url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/2258723.html |access-date=2025-05-30 |work=Radio Slobodna Evropa |language=sh}} Serbian,{{Cite web |last=B92 |title=Thaci to release names of Marty’s helpers |url=https://www.b92.net/o/eng/news/politics-article |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=B92.net |language=sr}} KosovanKosova Info: [http://kosova.info/2010/12/thaci-ka-dosje-te-bashkepunetoreve-te-martyt/ Thaçi ka dosje të bashkëpunëtorëve të Martyt] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044916/http://www.kosova.info/2010/12/thaci-ka-dosje-te-bashkepunetoreve-te-martyt/ |date=4 March 2016 }} (Thaçi has record of Marty's collaborators) and Albanian{{Cite web |title=Registrant WHOIS contact information verification {{!}} Namecheap.com |url=http://www.infoalbania.org/vendi/17018-thaci_ka_dosje_te_bashkepunetoreve_te_martyt.html |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.infoalbania.org}} news agencies, in an interview for Albanian television on 24 December 2010, Thaçi said he would publish information about Marty and Marty's collaborators' names.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

BBC news reported having seen a draft of the Council of Europe document, and asserts that it names "Hashim Thaci, Kosovo's current Prime Minister and wartime political leader of the KLA, 27 times in as many pages". They said the report charges the former KLA commanders of operating in organized crime, including organ and drug trafficking.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11996255|title=BBC comments on the draft report|publisher=BBC|date=14 December 2010}} In 2011, Marty clarified that his report implicates Thaçi's close associates but not Thaçi himself.{{cite news|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/marty-thaci-not-directly-involved-in-organ-harvesting|title=Dick Marty Clarifies Organ Harvesting Allegations|last=Collaku|first=Petrit|date=19 January 2011|publisher=Balkan Insight|access-date=19 January 2011}}

On 24 April 2020, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office located in The Hague filed a 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 of persons, persecution, and torture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scp-ks.org/en/press-statement|title=Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office: Press statement|date=24 June 2020|publisher=Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office|access-date=24 June 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/06/24/kosovo-specialist-prosecutor-charges-thaci-with-war-crimes/|title=Kosovo Specialist Prosecutor Charges Thaci with War Crimes|date=24 June 2020|publisher=Balkan Insight|access-date=24 June 2020}}{{Cite web|date=24 June 2020|title=Kosovo's president Hashim Thaci 'indicted for war crimes '|url=https://www.euronews.com/2020/06/24/kosovo-s-president-hashim-thaci-indicted-for-war-crimes-and-crimes-against-humanity|access-date=24 June 2020|website=euronews|language=en}} The indictment charges the suspects with approximately 100 murders of Kosovo Albanians, Serbs, Roma, and political opponents. According to the press release, the Specialist Prosecutor stated that it was necessary to make the issue public due to repeated efforts by Thaçi and Veseli to obstruct and undermine the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.

File:President Bush with leaders of Kosovo.jpg shakes hands with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu (center) and Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi (left) during a meeting in the White House on 21 July 2008, after Kosovo declared independence.]]

Kosovo elections were held on 17 November 2007. After early results based on 90 percent of the votes, Hashim Thaçi, who was on course to gain 34 percent, claimed victory for the PDK. He stated his intention to declare independence without delay on 10 December, the date set by the United Nations for the end of negotiations with Serbia. At 45 percent, the turnout at the election was particularly low, as most Serbs refused to vote.{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.net/2007/11/18/low-turnout-hits-kosovo-election|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801114300/http://www.euronews.net/2007/11/18/low-turnout-hits-kosovo-election|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 August 2012|title=Low turnout hits Kosovo election|date=18 November 2007|publisher=euronews|access-date=17 September 2009}} On 19 November 2007, several EU foreign ministers warned Thaçi and his allies against proceeding with their declaration of independence without consultations. Luxembourg's Jean Asselborn and Sweden's Carl Bildt urged the PDK not to make any hasty moves, while the EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana stressed the importance of proper preparations prior to formal independence. After EU talks on Kosovo in London on 19 November 2007, the UK's Europe minister, Jim Murphy, said independence without foreign support could isolate the breakaway province.{{Cite web |last=Mertesacker |first=Per |date=2023-04-30 |title=789club |url=https://billyraymorgan.com/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=billyraymorgan.com |language=en}}{{cite news|url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7101366.stm|title=EU warns Kosovo on independence|date=19 November 2007|work=BBC News|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821121825/http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7101366.stm|url-status=dead}} Hashim Thaçi was designated as the next leader of Kosovo's government on 11 December 2007 by the Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu and told to form a government "as soon as possible". His Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) began coalition talks with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) as well as the Alliance for New Kosovo (AKR). Those parties together control 75 seats of 120 in the assembly.{{cite news|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/printer_1380249.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904051502/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/printer_1380249.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 September 2012|title=Thaci designated to head Kosovo government|work=Deutsche Presse-Agentur|publisher=Monsters and Critics|date=11 December 2007|access-date=14 July 2015}} On 9 January 2008, Thaçi was elected as prime minister by parliament, with 85 votes in favor and 22 against. On this occasion, he stated his intention to achieve independence for Kosovo in the first half of 2008.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22575375|title=Ex-rebel becomes Kosovo's prime minister|date=9 January 2008|agency=Associated Press|publisher=NBC News|access-date=17 September 2009}}

{{stack|float=right|File:Hashim Thaci Joe Biden Fatmir Sejdiu with Declaration of Independence of Kosovo.JPG with Declaration of Independence of Kosovo|alt=]]}}

On 16 February 2008, Thaçi announced that the next day, 17 February, would be key for "implementing the will of the citizens of Kosovo", strongly implying the province would declare independence from Serbia.{{cite news|url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7249034.stm|title=Kosovo MPs proclaim independence|date=17 February 2008|publisher=BBC News|access-date=17 September 2009}} On 17 February 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia. Thaçi became Prime Minister of the newly independent state.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} On 6 June 2008, a gunman broke into Thaçi's home in Pristina, while the latter was not present.{{cite news|url=http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7441584.stm|title=Armed attack at Kosovo PM's home|date=7 June 2008|publisher=BBC News|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-date=26 May 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526211813/http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7441584.stm|url-status=dead}}

File:Thaci-Erdogan2.jpg, 3 November 2010]]

File:Hashim Thaci and Sali Berisha at the opening of Kalimash tunnel.jpg at the opening of Kalimash tunnel]]

Thaçi was elected the President of Kosovo in February 2016, and took office on 7 April 2016.{{Cite web |title=Kosovo's Hashim Thaci: From guerrilla leader to president |last=Delauney |first=Guy |work=BBC News |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=25 June 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35984823 }} In August 2019, Thaçi asserted that his nation would hold parliamentary elections on 6 October. The President cited that the nation is in need of a "functional and accountable government," which is capable enough to face challenges of the state and society.{{cite web|url=https://emerging-europe.com/news/kosovo-set-for-october-election/|title=Kosovo set for October election|date=27 August 2019|access-date=27 August 2019|publisher=Emerging Europe}}

File:Hashim Thaçi MSC 2018 (cropped).jpg 2018]]

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 to Jerusalem, which would have made it the only Muslim-majority nation to do so. But Thaçi told the Albanian newspaper Express that if his country was handed full membership of the global body, it would vote "all the time" with the U.S., even on the resolution motioned last month to protest Trump's decision. Thaçi met with Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2017 in New York, and invited Trump to visit Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. According to local media, he said their meeting was "exceptionally friendly, warm."{{Cite web |last=JTA |title=Kosovo says it would’ve voted with US at UN on Jerusalem recognition |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/kosovo-says-it-wouldve-voted-with-us-at-un-on-jerusalem-recognition/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}

“The Head of State thanked President Trump for his personal support for Kosovo,” his office said in a statement, calling the U.S. a "strategic partner" and saying the support of Washington was "crucial to the peace, stability and overall development of Kosovo and the region." Thaçi told Pristina-based broadcaster RTV21, "President Trump, like all other U.S. presidents, has a clear vision for Kosovo. It is unique support to our country. He said that Kosovo is a wonderful country and that we are a wonderful people."{{Cite web |last=Kampeas |first=Ron |date=2018-01-05 |title=Kosovo president: We'd have voted with US on Jerusalem at United Nations |url=https://www.jta.org/2018/01/05/united-states/kosovo-president-wed-have-voted-with-us-on-jerusalem-at-united-nations |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}}

On 26 November 2019, an earthquake struck Albania. President Thaçi was part of a presidential delegation that visited the earthquake epicentre and expressed his condolences on behalf of Kosovo.{{cite news|last=Mortimer|first=Caroline|title=Kosovan president caught up in aftershock when visiting Albanian earthquake victims|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/11/28/kosovan-president-caught-up-in-aftershock-when-visiting-albanian-earthquake-victims|agency=Euronews|date=28 November 2019|access-date=29 November 2019}} In 2019 he met with Trump's Special Envoy Grenell, and in February 2020 signed an agreement with Serbia's president Vučić.{{cite web | url=http://en.ata.gov.al/2020/06/15/thaci-welcomes-grenells-invitation-says-kosovo-ready-for-agreement-with-serbia/ | title=Thaçi welcomes Grenell's invitation, says Kosovo ready for agreement with Serbia | Albanian Telegraphic Agency }}

On 24 April 2020, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office located in The Hague filed a 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 of persons, persecution, and torture. The indictment charges the suspects with approximately 100 murders of Kosovo Albanians, Serbs, Roma, and political opponents. Thaçi was at the time on a diplomatic visit to the United States, but returned to Kosovo on learning of the indictment.

On 5 November 2020, Thaçi announced his resignation to reporters “to protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo”.{{Cite web |date=5 November 2020 |title=Kosovo president resigns to face war crimes charges |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/5/kosovo-president-resigns-to-face-war-crimes-charges |access-date= |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} He was arrested the same day and transferred to the Hague.{{cite news|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2024/01/08/trump-and-thaci-a-tale-of-two-ex-presidents-and-their-shared-prosecutor/|title=Trump and Thaci: A Tale of Two Ex-Presidents and Their Shared Prosecutor|website=Balkan Insight|first=Dean|last=Pineles|date=8 January 2024}} Thaçi was replaced by the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-04 |title=Kosovo parliament elects reformist lawyer Osmani as president |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/kosovo-parliament-elects-reformist-lawyer-osmani-as-president |access-date= |website=Daily Sabah |language=en-US}}

Thaçi made his initial court appearance on 9 November 2020; he pleaded not guilty.{{cite web|url=https://repository.scp-ks.org/details.php?doc_id=091ec6e98038d09a&doc_type=stl_transcript&lang=eng|title=Initial Appearance of Hashim Thaci|website=Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Special Prosecutor's Office|date=9 November 2020}} His three co-defendants also pleaded not guilty.{{cite web|url=https://www.scp-ks.org/sites/default/files/public/cis_thaci_et_al-en.pdf|title=Case Information Sheet: Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi (Case No. KSC-BC-2020-06)|website=Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Special Prosecutor's Office|access-date=14 January 2024|archive-date=2 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602041621/https://www.scp-ks.org/sites/default/files/public/cis_thaci_et_al-en.pdf|url-status=dead}} The trial opened in April 2023. In December 2024, Thaçi was charged with three counts of obstruction of official persons in performing official duties, four counts of violating secrecy of proceedings and four counts of contempt of court over "alleged unlawful efforts to influence witness testimonies" during the trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241206-hague-court-lays-fresh-charges-against-ex-kosovo-leader-thaci |title=Hague court lays fresh charges against ex-Kosovo leader Thaci |website=France 24 |date=7 December 2024}} In March 2025, Thaçi was temporarily released to visit his ailing father in Pristina.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/kosovo-hague-court-hashim-thaci-war-crime-charges-035e1d8240874ffd34fe6ec7a8866557 |title=Kosovo’s war crime-charged ex-president briefly released to visit his ill father |website=AP News |date=14 March 2025}} After his father died shortly later, Thaçi was again temporarily released to allow him to visit his father's grave, having been previously barred from attending the funeral.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/kosovo-hague-court-hashim-thaci-war-crime-charges-dead-father-e7849e7f7242a5ab9ceb1a797d61fe1d |title=Kosovo ex-president Thaci visits father’s tomb after Hague court bars him from attending funeral |website=AP News |date=21 March 2025}}

The table lists state visits made by Hashim Thaçi as president.

• {{Flag|Albania}}: On 20 June 2008 received a copy of the key of the city of Tirana on the occasion of his state visit to Albania.[http://www.tirana.gov.al/Celesi_qytetit/raifaizen-rama-041.jpg Thaçi receives copy of the key of the City of Tirana], tirana.gov.al; accessed 14 July 2015 (in Albanian)
• Also on 20 June, Thaçi was awarded the Honorary Citizen of the city of Vlorë, for his "historic role in making Kosovo an independent state".{{Cite web |title=Bashkia Vlorë – Faqja Zyrtare |url=https://bashkiavlore.org/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en-US}}
• In January 2015 Hashim Thaçi was awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Tirana, for his contribution in peace-building in Western Balkans, promoting the process of European integrations and achieving the historic Brussels Agreement with Serbia.
• On 4 October 2016 he was awarded Honorary Citizenship of Shkodër, in a ceremony led by the Mayor of this northern Albanian city.
• {{Flag|Switzerland}}: On 1 July 2012, Thaçi received a Doctor Honoris Causa degree as a Doctor of International Relations from the Geneva School of Diplomacy, a for-profit business whose lack of university accreditation has put it under the spotlight of the news media.{{Cite web |last=Lanci |first=Camille |date=2022-11-16 |title=Geneva private universities come under the spotlight |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/geneva-private-universities-come-under-the-spotlight/47786510 |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-28 |title=#95 The G{{!}}O Briefing, April 28, 2022 |url=https://www.thegenevaobserver.com/briefings/78-the-g-o-briefing-april-28-2022/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=THE GENEVA OBSERVER |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-14 |title=A Genève, des universités privées proposent des formations onéreuses non reconnues par les autorités académiques suisses |trans-title=In Geneva, private universities offer expensive courses not recognized by Swiss academic authorities. |url=https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/geneve/13238587-a-geneve-des-universites-privees-proposent-des-formations-onereuses-non-reconnues-par-les-autorites-academiques-suisses.html |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=rts.ch |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-19 |title=À Genève, des “universités” privées aux pratiques douteuses |trans-title=In Geneva, private "universities" with dubious practices. |url=https://fr.news.yahoo.com/%C3%A0-gen%C3%A8ve-universit%C3%A9s-priv%C3%A9es-pratiques-101507073.html |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Yahoo News |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-19 |title=À Genève, des “universités” privées aux pratiques douteuses |trans-title=In Geneva, private "universities" with questionable practices. |url=https://www.courrierinternational.com/article/a-geneve-des-universites-privees-aux-pratiques-douteuses |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Courrier international |language=fr}} Previous recipients of this award include Martin Gray, a Holocaust survivor and writer; Adolf Ogi, the former president of Switzerland; and José Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20141105235347/http://www.kryeministri-ks.net/?page=2,9,2966 Profile]}}, kryeministri-ks.net; accessed 14 July 2015.
• {{Flag|United States of America}}: In 2014, Albanian and Serbian Caucuses of US Congress nominated President Thaçi and Serbian FM Ivica Dačić for the Nobel Peace Prize, for their role in achieving the Serbia-Kosovo peace deal.{{cite web |date=23 December 2013 |title=Thaçi, Daçiç, Ashton emërohen për çmimin Nobel |trans-title=Thaçi, Dačić, Ashton nominated for Nobel Prize. |url=http://www.zeriamerikes.com/a/thaci-dacic-ashton-nobel/1815968.html}}
• {{Flag|Montenegro}}: On 4 April 2015, on Ulcinj Day, Thaçi received the title of Honorary Citizen of Ulcinj by the town's municipal government.{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2015-04-04 |title=Svecana sjednica SO Ulcinj: RAMA I TACI POCASNI GRADJANI |url=https://mne.ul-info.com/svecana-sjednica-so-ulcinj-rama-i-taci-pocasni-gradjani/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Ulcinj info |language=en}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite encyclopedia |last=Andrejevich |first=Milan |title=Thaçi, Hashim |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Book of the Year 2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IaecAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA107|date=1 March 2009|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.|isbn=978-1-59339-232-1|pages=107–108}}

• {{cite book|last1=Boyes|first1=Roger|last2=Jagger|first2=Suzy|title=New State, Modern Statesman: Hashim Thaçi – A Biography|year=2018 |publisher=Biteback Publishing|isbn=9781785903304|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rsBHDwAAQBAJ&q=New+State%2C+Modern+Statesman%3A+Hashim+Tha%C3%A7i+%E2%80%93+A+Biography}}

{{Commons category|Hashim Thaçi}}

• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090221051801/http://kryeministri-ks.net/?page=2,1 Prime Minister of Kosovo Official Website]}}
• [http://www.pdk-ks.org/ PDK] Partia Demokratike e Kosovës (in Albanian)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071123103615/http://www.pdk-ks.org/site/?id=5,49,0,50,a,1467ttp Kryetari Thaçi: Populli i Kosovës dhe UÇK-ja ishin një] A Thaçi interview by "Kosova Sot" daily (in Albanian)
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7133515.stm BBC News Profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060309004623/http://www.usip.org/events/2006/0112_kosovo.html Thaçi comments on the future of Kosovo at United States Institute of Peace]

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Category:1968 births

Category:Democratic Party of Kosovo politicians

Category:Deputy prime ministers of Kosovo

Category:Foreign ministers of Kosovo

Category:Government ministers of Kosovo

Category:Kosovo Albanians

Category:Kosovan soldiers

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Category:Living people

Category:Military personnel from Skenderaj

Category:Presidents of Kosovo

Category:Prime ministers of Kosovo

Category:University of Pristina alumni

Category:University of Zurich alumni

Category:Kosovan independence activists

Category:People indicted for war crimes

Category:Politicians from Mitrovica, Kosovo

Category:People indicted by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers