On Sunday, Albanians from the diaspora, as well as from Kosovo, gathered in The Hague, the Netherlands, to demand justice for the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
The September 14 protest, organized by the Albanian diaspora and supported by the KLA War Veterans’ Organization (OVL-UÇK), was called in response to what organizers described as injustices in the ongoing trial of the KLA’s former leadership.
The demonstration is taking place in a park near the headquarters of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. Speakers at the event include OVL-UÇK chairman Hysni Gucati, co-organizer Fatmir Koci, and former Dutch ambassador to Kosovo, Robert Bosch.
The protest in The Hague follows a large demonstration on August 7 in Pristina, where thousands of people rallied against the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Office of the Specialist Prosecutor in The Hague—commonly referred to as the Special Court.
The central case before the Special Court is against the former KLA leadership: former president Hashim Thaçi, former parliamentary speakers Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and former MP Rexhep Selimi. All four face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which they categorically deny.
The protest comes just one day before the defense teams of the former KLA leaders are scheduled to begin presenting their evidence and witnesses. Former U.S. State Department official James Rubin is set to testify before the court on September 15 in defense of the KLA leaders.
Defense lawyers told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that their list of witnesses, beginning from September 15, remains confidential. However, several names have already circulated in the media, including Wesley Clark, William Walker, Bernard Kouchner, among others. These same individuals had appeared on a list disclosed by the defense in 2022.
Thaçi’s defense has stated that it plans to call 11 witnesses to testify in open court sessions. Meanwhile, Krasniqi’s defense has indicated that two witnesses will testify in person, while two others have already provided written statements submitted to the prosecutors.
The panel of judges at the Specialist Chambers anticipates concluding the defense case of Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi by November 14, or within one week after the final witness testimony. The panel also expects the defense of the former KLA leaders to submit their closing arguments by December 22 of this year.