The United Nations tribunal gave a very controversial verdict yesterday, acquitting Kosovo’s former prime minister and commander of the Kosovo Liberation army, Ramush Haradinaj of all charges, therefore exonerating him of all responsibility.

The former leader had been accused of murder, torture and rape of Serb civilians and non-Albanians during the 1998-1999 battles for independence from Serbia.

 "This is a verdict that strengthens Kosovo," Haradinaj stated at the finale of his year-long trial. "We endured a difficult liberation struggle that cost many lives. Today we are a free and sovereign nation," as quoted by the Washington Post.

Opinions on the verdict are very controversial, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica accusing the Hague tribunal of mocking justice and also the innocent victims of Haradinaj’s actions. "The ruling is truly worrisome. It turns out that crime pays," concluded the Prime Minister according to the Associated Press.

Minister for Kosovo, Slobodan Samardzic stated that he considers the ruling "catastrophic" and that there will be undoubtedly legal, political and moral repercussions. Many others were very disturbed with the decision, demanding an explanation and also the punishment of the ones guilty for the thousands of deaths during the war.  

The judges considered the prosecutor’s evidence as “vague, inconclusive or nonexistent.” And apparently the reason why the prosecution’s case was weak involved an uncertainty on witness safety.   

Two other men were also on trial: Lahi Brahimaj, one of Haradinaj’s guerilla war commanders, who was convicted to six years in prison for torture and cruelty and Idriz Balaj, who was cleared of all charges and was sent back to Kosovo to complete a previous 15-year prison sentence concerning other war-related issues.