Former Kosovo president Thaci sentenced to 25 years in prison for war crimes

Thaci's sentence relates to crimes committed during his tensure as commander of the KLA in the 1990s. (Koen van Weel/Pool via AP)

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci ​was found guilty ‌of war crimes by the Kosovo war crimes tribunal ​on Wednesday.

Thaci, 58, ​was convicted to 25 ⁠years in prison for ​crimes including murder, torture ​and illegal detention committed as top commander of the ​ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation ​Army (KLA) during the territory's violent ‌break ⁠from Serbia in the 1990s.

The tribunal said he was guilty of the ​murder ​of ⁠96 political opponents and perceived collaborators ​with Serbian security ​forces ⁠by Kosovo Liberation Army forces during the conflict.

Thaci ⁠had ​denied all ​charges.