Shock and anger in Kosovo as former president convicted

The announcement of the verdict was greeted with shock and profound disappointment in Pristina. Thousands of citizens had gathered in the main square of Kosovo's capital, many waving flags of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), to follow the announcement live on large screens. Similar gatherings took place across the country in Kosovo's main cities. When it became clear that the Kosovo war crimes tribunal in The Hague had found former President Hashim Thaci, and former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi guilty of war crimes, the crowd fell silent. The initial silence was then followed by calls for justice and chants of support for the four men.