Sociale 2025-09-14 14:32:26 Nga VNA

In The Hague, protesters demand justice for former KLA leaders

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In The Hague, protesters demand justice for former KLA leaders

In The Hague, Netherlands, on Sunday, Albanians from the diaspora, but also from Kosovo, are protesting demanding justice for the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

The September 14 protest was called by the Albanian diaspora and supported by the Organization of KLA War Veterans (OVL-KLA), over what the organizers said were the injustices being committed in the trial of former KLA leaders.

The protest in the Dutch capital is being held in a park located near the headquarters of the Specialist Chambers.

Speakers at the protest include the leader of the OVL-UCK, Hysni Gucati, Fatmir Koci, co-organizer of the protest, and the former Dutch ambassador to Kosovo, Robert Bosch.

The head of the OVL-UCK, Hysni Gucati, said that from The Hague he is calling on Europe that "justice should not be allowed to turn into a political instrument."

He said that the KLA never fought for power, but for freedom.

"Justice should be the same," he said, adding that Serbs who have committed crimes "enjoy freedom."

"Justice for the liberators, freedom for our historical right," he said.

Former KLA member and co-organizer of the protest, Fatmir Koci, said that the KLA was neither an aggressor nor an invader, but said that today former KLA leaders are being tried "on baseless charges."

"We will never accept this injustice against them," he said.

Koci said the Serbian state committed "horrific crimes during the war and has not been held accountable."

He criticized the Kosovo Government, arguing that it has "been silent" and "failed to protect" its citizens.

"The special is a tool of injustice," he said, adding that "we demand a fair and impartial investigation into the crimes committed during the war. We demand justice for those who fought for our freedom."

The protest in The Hague comes after thousands of people protested in Pristina on August 7 against the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor's Office in The Hague - also known as the Special Court.

In Speciale, the main case is being developed against former KLA leaders, namely former President Hashim Thaçi, former parliamentarians Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and former Kosovo MP Rexhep Selimi. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which all four have denied.

The protest in The Hague comes a day before the defense of the former KLA leaders begins presenting its evidence and witnesses.

Former US Assistant Secretary of State James Rubin will begin his testimony before the Special Chamber on September 15, in defense of former KLA leaders.

The defense of the accused told Radio Free Europe that the list of those who will testify on their side, starting on September 15, is confidential.

In the media, however, several names circulated - among them: Wesley Clark, William Walker, Bernard Kouchner and others.

The same were also mentioned in a list that the defense revealed in 2022.

Thaçi's defense has stated that the 11 witnesses it intends to call will give their testimony in open sessions. Meanwhile, Krasniqi's defense has said that two witnesses will give their testimony in court, while two others will give their written testimony, and this testimony has already been submitted to prosecutors.

The panel of judges of the Specialist Chambers expects to conclude the case of the defense of Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi by November 14, or one week after the conclusion of the testimony of the last witness. The panel also expects the defense of the former KLA leaders to be prepared to submit their final trial briefs before December 22 of this year.

As of November 4 and 5, 2020, all four defendants have been in custody in The Hague, where the Kosovo Specialist Chambers are located.

The trial against them began in April 2023. In over two years, the Specialized Prosecutor's Office called 125 witnesses to the courtroom and presented around 3,000 pieces of material evidence.

The SPO declared on April 16 that it had concluded presenting evidence against former KLA leaders.

The Specialized Prosecutor's Office had confirmed the indictment against former KLA leaders in October 2020, but made it public only a month later.

The indictment charges the defendants with "personal" responsibility, but also for "crimes committed by their subordinates."

According to the indictment, Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi are accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including the murder of more than 100 victims as well as the unlawful detention and torture of hundreds of victims.

The indictment states that the four defendants and other KLA members were part of a “joint criminal enterprise” and “shared the common goal of seizing and exercising control throughout Kosovo by all means, including intimidation, mistreatment, the use of violence and the elimination of those they considered opponents.”

The Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor's Office – widely known as the Specialist Court – were established in 2015 by the Kosovo Assembly and are part of the Kosovo judicial system, but operate with international staff in the Netherlands.

The Special Court investigates alleged crimes committed by KLA members against ethnic minorities and political rivals from January 1998 to December 2000./REL

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