Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Përparim Gruda said that around 18 hours remained until the announcement of one of the most important verdicts for Kosovo and its citizens, expressing his party’s strong belief in the innocence of the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) facing trial in The Hague.
Speaking at a press conference, Gruda said that PDK has believed throughout the years that justice would prevail and that it expects the verdict to be based on evidence, equal standards and the historical truth of Kosovo.
“Only around 18 hours remain until the announcement of one of the most important verdicts for Kosovo and our citizens. As PDK, throughout these years we have believed that there will be justice, and tomorrow Kosovo expects justice,” Gruda said.
He said he expects a verdict that will bring justice and calm while respecting the historical reality experienced by the people of Kosovo.
“We expect a decision based on evidence, with equal standards and with the truth. We expect a decision that brings justice, calm and respects the historical reality that we as a people have lived through,” he said.
Gruda stressed that Kosovo’s history cannot be rewritten, recalling the violence, expulsions, killings and crimes committed against the people of Kosovo during the war.
“For decades, we experienced violence, expulsions, killings and crimes committed against our people. Kosovo’s history cannot be rewritten. It is known who was the aggressor and who was the victim,” the PDK MP said.
He expressed hope that the verdict would bring celebration and that the former KLA leaders would return home, reiterating PDK’s belief in their innocence.
“Tomorrow, we expect there to be a celebration, that justice will prevail and that the liberators will return to their homeland,” Gruda said.
“We strongly believe in the innocence of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi,” he added.
Gruda also warned that PDK would not remain silent if, in its view, the verdict proved unjust, saying the party would challenge it through legal and democratic means.
“If we face injustice, we will not remain silent and we will not surrender to it. We will oppose it firmly, with arguments and with all the legal and democratic means at our disposal,” he declared.
He further said that the KLA’s war cannot be placed on the same level as the state policy of the Serbian regime.
“We cannot accept the KLA’s war being placed on the same level as the state policy of the aggressor, the Serbian regime,” Gruda said.
In closing, Gruda called on Kosovo’s international partners and political actors to show restraint and caution, insisting that justice must be based on evidence and European standards.
“To our international partners and friends, we call for justice based on evidence, European standards and the historical truth of Kosovo,” he said.
Gruda added that PDK had followed with concern several public reactions in recent days which, according to him, had created unnecessary anxiety among citizens.
“All political actors must show restraint and caution,” Gruda concluded.
