Thousands of citizens gathered today in the main squares of Pristina to show their support for the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), who are on trial in The Hague.
The march, organized by “Freedom has a name“ (Liria ka Emër), called for justice for the KLA leadership, not politics, KosovaPress agency reported for BTA.
In addition to citizens from across the country, the region and beyond, the march was also attended by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, who stood next to former President Hashim Thaci's son, Endrit.
Although the KLA leaders are currently in custody, they followed the solidarity march that filled the capital's main squares today.
Holding banners with the inscriptions “Freedom has a name“, “History cannot be rewritten“ and “Freedom in the Name of the People“, Albanians demanded justice for the former KLA leaders.
Ismail Tasholi, founder of the “Freedom Has a Name“ platform, said that despite the ongoing trials, the KLA's struggle is aimed at liberation and cannot be relativized.
According to him, the demands are for impartial justice, not for political goals, rejecting the identification of the aggressor with the victim.
From Pristina, Tasholi sent a message in support of the defendants in The Hague, emphasizing that an entire nation stands behind them and that this is just the beginning.
“This day is not just a holiday. It is also a reminder that our former KLA leaders and the state are in The Hague – Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Yakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi – names that for many represent entire chapters of our history, resistance and state-building. Regardless of the trials, one thing is clear: the KLA struggle was a war of liberation and this cannot be undone, because our history is not abstract – it has numbers and pain. The KLA was not born to seize land, but to defend its home; it was born not for domination, but for freedom. This is the historical truth that can never be relativized. Our calls for justice, not politics, are not against anyone; they are for collective dignity. We cannot accept that the trials conducted in the name of the people of Kosovo be used to equate the aggressor with the victim or to obscure the liberating nature of our war. If justice deviates from the principles of equality and impartiality, and if the trial in The Hague is called upon to act in the name of the people of Kosovo, we say clearly here: not in our name. Justice cannot be selective; it cannot be manipulated. It must be transparent and equal for all. Only then can it speak for the people. Citizens want justice, not politics, and today, on Independence Day, we send a clear message to those in The Hague: Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Yakup Krasniqi and Recep Selimi - you are not alone. An entire nation stands behind you, behind you is history, sacrifice and our freedom. This is just the beginning," he said.
In front of thousands of participants, Tasholi stressed that when it comes to the KLA, there are no divisions or differences - only complete unity. He stressed that the KLA is the foundation of freedom and a symbol of sacrifice and national identity.
Overcome with emotion and through tears, Vasfie Krasniqi Goodman called for the release of the former KLA leaders.
In her speech, she emphasized that injustice and the violation of freedom are what unites the Albanian people, calling for justice and support for the former KLA leaders facing trial in The Hague.
Former KLA fighter Muhamer Ibrahimi also delivered a speech to the participants in the march in support of the former KLA leaders, saying that they are not afraid of justice, because those who fight for freedom are never afraid of the truth.
One of the first female KLA fighters, Shchipe Krasniqi, stressed that the trial of the former KLA leaders in The Hague directly affects the memory and victims of the liberation war. struggle.
She said that on Independence Day, citizens not only gather to celebrate, but also to remember the high price of freedom and support their comrades facing international justice.
She added that injustice against former leaders harms the entire society because it devalues the sacrifices made for the liberation of the country.
According to Krasniqi, facing justice is part of state-building, but justice must be independent and based on the facts and circumstances of the war period.
Xavit Haziri's son, Chlirim Haziri, said that they will not allow the victims to be identified with the guilty and that they will not leave their heroes alone in The Hague.
The closing arguments in the trial of the former KLA leaders began in The Hague on February 9.
This is the final phase of the largest trial at the Kosovo Specialist Court in The Hague.
Lawyers for Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Yakup Krasniqi have asked for all four to be acquitted of all charges.
They said there was no evidence to support the allegations made by the Specialist Prosecutor's Office regarding war crimes.
Chief Specialist Prosecutor Kimberly West has requested a 45-year sentence for each of the former KLA leaders.
Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Yakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi have rejected the charges brought against them by the Specialist Prosecutor's Office as unfounded. The defense also rejected these allegations, stating that the KLA did not have an organized command structure.
The case against the former KLA leaders began on April 3, 2023, nearly three years after the indictment was confirmed, and they are in the detention center in The Hague.