The European Union has commented on the protests held in Kosovo following the verdict of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), stressing that peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right in a democratic society.
In a response to Front Online, an EU spokesperson said that the European bloc was closely monitoring the situation in Kosovo.
“Peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental right in a democratic society,” the EU said.
The EU added that it would continue to closely monitor developments in Kosovo.
“We will continue to follow the situation closely,” the spokesperson said.
Asked about the protests held outside the offices of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX, the EU also clarified the mission’s operational status.
“For your information, we can also confirm that EULEX is fully operational,” the EU said.
The EU’s response comes after protests and other developments in Kosovo following the September 16 verdict in The Hague. The Specialist Chambers found former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi guilty of war crimes.
Thaçi and Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years in prison, Veseli to 18 years, and Selimi to 13 years. The Trial Panel found the four individually criminally responsible for war crimes including illegal or arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder.
