Albanian emigrants and former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) gathered on Sunday in front of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, in a protest organized in support of the former KLA leaders who are facing international justice.
The demonstration, called by organizations emerging from the KLA war, began with chants of “UÇK! UÇK!” as participants expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing trial in The Hague.
According to them, the prosecution of the former wartime leaders is politically motivated and represents an injustice against the sacrifices of the people of Kosovo for freedom and independence.
Protesters carried banners and Albanian national flags, along with slogans in both Albanian and English demanding justice for the former KLA leaders. Among the slogans seen were: “Justice knows no delay,” “Trial now! No more endless waiting,” and “Freedom has a name.”
The crowd included many Albanians who had traveled from the United States and various European countries.
This protest comes just one day before the defense begins presenting its evidence for the former KLA leaders—Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi—who face charges of war crimes.
Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, reacted through a social media post expressing support for the accused, emphasizing that “Freedom has a name.” He shared a poster featuring former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi, surrounded by KLA flags with the word “JUSTICE” written across it. In his message, Rama underlined the need for justice and respect toward Kosovo’s liberators.
At tomorrow’s hearing in the Specialist Chambers, James Rubin, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State during the Kosovo war, is expected to testify in Thaçi’s defense. He will be followed by additional witnesses from the United States and the United Kingdom.
The former KLA leaders have denied all charges, insisting that the Kosovo Liberation Army never functioned as an organized command structure and was not part of any criminal enterprise.