Veterans warn of protests if Kosovo Liberation Army leaders are convicted
The Organization of Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans (OVL-UÇK) has announced large-scale protests and the continuation of protest activities if the former KLA leaders standing trial in The Hague are found guilty.
OVL-UÇK Deputy Chairman Gazmend Syla told KosovaPress that the organization expects the former KLA leaders to return to Kosovo acquitted, but will not remain idle if a guilty verdict is issued.
“Either way, we will never stop protesting and advocating for our rights, which we earned in 1999. It is indisputable, therefore our activities will never stop. The damage has already been done,” he said.
Syla expressed confidence that if the verdict is based on evidence, the former KLA leaders will be acquitted. However, he voiced concern that political influence could play a role in the decision-making process.
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According to him, OVL-UÇK has continuously raised concerns with international representatives regarding the way the Specialist Chambers operates and, as he claims, violations of the rights of the accused.
The deputy chairman of OVL-UÇK said that the protests and activities organized by the group so far, both inside and outside Kosovo, have contributed to raising public awareness about the judicial process in The Hague.
He criticized Kosovo’s institutions for what he described as a lack of action to protect the rights of the former KLA leaders, adding that the main burden has been left to the Organization of KLA War Veterans.
During the year, OVL-UÇK has held protests in Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, The Hague and Strasbourg, calling on the Specialist Chambers in The Hague to deliver justice.
On September 12, another final protest will be held ahead of the final verdict, while on the day of the verdict, many citizens are expected to gather outside the court premises in The Hague.
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Meanwhile, on Wednesday, former AAK Chairman Ramush Haradinaj visited OVL-UÇK and said he expects the freedom fighters to return to Kosovo.
On Friday, the Association of KLA Martyrs’ Families and the Association of KLA War Invalids will hold a press conference to present their plans regarding the Hague verdict.
Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi have been in detention in The Hague since November 2020, when they were transferred to the detention facilities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. They face charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed between March 1998 and September 1999. All four have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Nearly six years after their transfer to The Hague and more than three years after the start of the trial, the verdict is expected to be delivered on September 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.