Kosovo president ex-guerilla leader Hashim Thaci resigns to face war crimes charges

Kosovo president Hashim Thaci, a guerrilla leader during Kosovo's war for independence, has resigned in order to face chares on war crimes and crimes against humanity at a special court based in The Hague.

Thaci announced his resignation at a news conference on Thursday. He said he was taking the step “to protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo.”

Thaci, who was political chief of Kosovo's rebel forces during the war, was accused by prosecutors earlier this year of crimes including murder, enforced disappearance of persons, persecution, and torture.

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