The Tirana Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal by Mayor Erion Veliaj to declare four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi : “Honorary Citizens” of Tirana. Reports from Albania said the proposal received support from both the governing majority and the opposition.
The initiative had previously received unanimous approval from Tirana Municipality’s Artistic-Cultural Commission, following a proposal from the Titles Commission, headed by historian Pëllumb Xhufi.
The proposal cites the four men’s contributions to the Kosovo war and Kosovo’s path toward freedom and independence, as well as their longstanding ties with Tirana and Albania.
According to the stated motivations, Hashim Thaçi is being honored for his role in the Kosovo Liberation War, its political representation and Kosovo’s path toward freedom and independence, as well as his ties with Tirana and efforts to strengthen relations between Kosovo and Albania.
Kadri Veseli is recognized for his contribution to the KLA and Kosovo’s path toward freedom and independence, along with his connection to Tirana and his role in promoting closer cooperation between Kosovo and Albania.
Jakup Krasniqi is being honored for his contribution to the Kosovo Liberation War and its political representation, as well as his longstanding connection with Tirana, described in the proposal as one of the centers of political and civic support for Kosovo.
Rexhep Selimi is recognized for his contribution to the KLA and Kosovo’s path toward freedom and independence, as well as his connection to Tirana, which the proposal describes as having stood alongside Kosovo and its people during the war.
The decision comes after the four men were convicted by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The Tirana council’s decision is a municipal honorary distinction and does not alter the court proceedings or judgments concerning the four individuals.
