Kosovo protesters gather to oppose war crimes trial of former KLA leaders

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Thousands of people gathered in Pristina’s main square on Tuesday to protest against the ongoing trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers war crimes court in The Hague. The court is set to deliver its final verdict within three months.

The defendants, including former President Hashim Thaci, former Speakers Jakup Krasniqi and Kadri Veseli, and former lawmaker Rexhep Selimi, are accused of persecution, murder, torture, and forced disappearances during the 1998-1999 war for independence. The court has heard closing arguments this week.

The trial concerns events that took place during and shortly after the conflict, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 13,000 people, mostly Kosovo Albanians. Thaci served as prime minister, foreign minister, and president of independent Kosovo from 2008 to 2020.

Protesters wore KLA uniforms and waved flags bearing the KLA, Kosovo, and Albanian symbols. Many held placards reading “Freedom has a name” and photos of the defendants with captions such as “Heroes of War and Peace”. Organisers reported that buses were arranged from every municipality to transport people to Pristina.

The court was established in 2015 to handle war crimes cases under Kosovo law against ex-KLA fighters. The tribunal is staffed by international judges and lawyers, who are concerned about witness intimidation.

Judges will deliver their final verdict within three months. Prosecutors have sought a sentence of 45 years for each defendant, while the defendants have denied all charges.

Source: Al Jazeera