Discontent Simmers in Kosovo as Protesters Denounce Hague War Crimes Verdict

This post is also available in this language: Shqip Bos/Hrv/Srp Hundreds of people protested in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina, on Friday, as discontent continued to simmer over the guilty verdict handed down by Kosovo Specialist Chambers war crimes court in The Hague, convicting ex-President Hashim Thaci and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA leaders. “Hashim, where you are, all Kosovo is here for you,” protesters chanted in unison. They also sang patriotic songs. Protesters gather in Pristina’s main square. Photo: BIRN/Eris Ismaili Kosovo’s former President, Hashim Thaci, and his co-defendants, former parliament speakers Jakup Krasniqi and Kadri Veseli and former MP Rexhep Selimi, were sentenced to 25, 25, 18 and 13 years in jail respectively on Wednesday. All four were found guilty of responsibility for war crimes carried out while they were senior officials of the KLA during the 1998-99 war with Serbian forces. They were found not guilty of crimes against humanity. A protester hold a banner that reads “Today we’re seeking the freedom for them that they once gave us”. Photo: BIRN Thaci, Veseli, Krasniqi and Selimi had all pleaded not guilty to all charges. Thaci’s lawyer, Luka Misetic, wrote on X on Thursday that Thaci’s lawyers would appeal the judgment, “asserting significant errors of law and fact that prejudiced the fairness of the proceedings”. Young Kosovo citizens draped in flags with Kosovo Liberation Army emblems. Photo: BIRN/Ardita Zeqiri The KLA War Veterans’ Organisation, which staged Friday’s protest, called for the dismissal of Justice Minister Donika Gervalla, the repeal or amendment of the Law on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, unlimited funding for the defence of the four former KLA leaders in their upcoming appeal against the verdict, and the engagement of top international experts for their defence. Hysni Gucati, head of the organisation, accused minister Gervalla of submitting evidence for the case to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. “We are telling [Prime Minister] Albin Kurti to remove these people from the government starting today; he should not keep them in the government. People who collaborate with the enemy are enemies of my nation, and we do not want them among us,” Gucati said. “Donika Gervalla has still not come forward to apologise,” he added. Gervalla has not commented publicly about the allegation so far. L-R: Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, leader Bedri Hamza; Hashim Thaci’s son, Endrit; Kadri Veseli’s son, Klestor; and former leader of the PDK Memli Krasniqi at the protest. Photo: BIRN/Adelina Ahmeti Krasniqi’s son, Altin, an MP for the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, which was formerly led by Thaci and Veseli, thanked the protesters for their support. The Kosovo war “was for freedom and dignity. The verdict touches the sacrifice of each martyr. We will not surrender. We will continue to seek justice”, he said. Jakup Krasniqi’s son, Altin, speaking at the protest. Photo: BIRN The Kosovo Specialist Chambers is part of Kosovo’s judicial system but staffed by internationals. It was created specifically to try former members of the KLA, under pressure from Kosovo’s Western allies. The court is widely resented in Kosovo, where it is seen as denigrating the KLA’s just war against Serbian oppression. The banner at the side of the square shows photos of Jakup Krasniqi, Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, and Rexhep Selimi with the message: “In the name of the people, you’ve been found not guilty.” Photo: BIRN/Ardita Zeqiri On Wednesday night, after the verdict was announced, protesters in Pristina threw stones and firecrackers at the Kosovo government building and at the headquarters of the EU rule-of-law mission, EULEX. In The Hague, where thousands of supporters of the defendants had gathered to hear the verdict, anger also erupted when the sentences were announced. Dutch police prevented the protesters from marching towards the court. Another protest has been called for Monday in Pristina.