FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
For about an hour, thousands of citizens who participated in the rally organized in Skopje demanded justice for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, who are being tried by the Special Court for so-called crimes against humanity.
During the rally, a large banner with photographs of KLA leaders was unfurled, reading: "Liberators should be honored, not judged."
The protest took place under strict police supervision and without any reported incidents.
The purpose of the protest, called by the categories that emerged from the KLA war, was to express dissatisfaction with the trial of its former superiors at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The trial of Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi and Selim began in 2023 and is expected to conclude early next year.
They all deny charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity before and during the 1998–1999 war.
Hysni Gucati, president of the KLA War Veterans Organization, said that today "we are gathered here to raise our voices" and to demand "real justice" for the former KLA leaders.
"Today, with this large number of people, we show Trendafilova that the Kosovo Liberation Army originates, is born and operates from the people," said Gucati, referring to Ekaterina Trendafilova, the president of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
He added that the KLA "grew up and was protected by the people and today the people stand behind it. Today we demand justice. This court resembles the courts of Serbia and deals with falsified and fabricated facts, which do not stand up."
The protest was also attended by the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) from North Macedonia, Ali Ahmeti, as well as politicians from Kosovo, such as Fatmir Limaj and Daut Haradinaj.
The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, stated a few days ago that he does not support this protest, but assured that the institutions will ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible and without incidents.
Prior to this protest, OVL-UCK has also held protests in The Hague, Tirana, Strasbourg and Pristina, in support of former KLA leaders, who are being tried in the Special Court for crimes allegedly committed during the war in Kosovo.
Lini një Përgjigje