A mass protest titled “Protest Against Injustice” is scheduled to take place today at 17:00 in Skanderbeg Square, Prishtina. The demonstration is organized by the Organization of KLA War Veterans (OVL-UÇK) and other groups that emerged from the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), in opposition to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers based in The Hague.
In a press conference held earlier, Gazmend Syla, spokesperson for OVL-UÇK, stated that the protest was triggered by the court’s acceptance of material evidence submitted by three institutions of the Serbian state, despite the fact that the heads of those institutions have been convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
“It is unacceptable that the Special Court legitimizes institutions that were part of criminal activities and genocide against our people,” said Syla.
“This move is a serious threat to the narrative of our statehood, one built in partnership with the international community.”
Syla emphasized that the protest would be peaceful and open to all citizens, with the intention of urging international actors to stop what the organizers see as an attempt to rewrite Kosovo’s recent history.
The protest follows a joint decision on July 28, 2025, made during a meeting between OVL-UÇK and other war-related associations. A similar solidarity march was held on April 2, 2023, under the banner “Freedom Has a Name,” in support of former KLA leaders.
Background on the Specialist Chambers
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC), located in The Hague, were established in 2015 by the Assembly of Kosovo to investigate and prosecute crimes allegedly committed by members of the KLA between January 1998 and December 2000. The court focuses primarily on crimes against ethnic minorities and political opponents.
The ongoing trial involves former President Hashim Thaçi, former Speaker of the Assembly Kadri Veseli, former MP Rexhep Selimi, and former acting President Jakup Krasniqi. They are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, including unlawful detentions, torture, enforced disappearances, and murder.
According to the indictment filed on February 27, 2023, the accused are also alleged to have incited attacks, and through public statements and actions, intimidated or eliminated political opponents. Prosecutors claim these actions aimed to establish the KLA leadership as the sole legitimate voice of Kosovo Albanians.
A new indictment was filed against Thaçi on December 6, 2024, which he denied, pleading not guilty.
