A total of 16,000 citizens have signed a petition initiated by organizations stemming from the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK), supporting the four former leaders currently held at The Hague: Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi.
The petition, addressed to the Specialist Chambers of the court in The Hague, demands that any decision regarding the former UÇK leaders be based solely on evidence and facts presented during the judicial process.
“Any direct or indirect political influence would severely damage the credibility of international justice, which we expect to be impartial and free from double standards. We demand full and unconditional respect for the fundamental rights of the accused, adherence to the Law on the Specialist Chambers adopted by the Kosovo Assembly, and full respect for the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, ensuring a fair, transparent, and impartial process according to the highest standards of justice,” the petition states.
It also calls for dignified and humane treatment in accordance with international conventions on the rights of detainees, guaranteeing full respect for the physical and psychological integrity of the accused. The petition urges immediate release from pre-trial detention, citing the extraordinary duration of the proceedings and the principle of trial within a reasonable time.
