Thousands of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veterans and supporters gathered in Pristina on Thursday to protest against the EU-backed Special Court in The Hague, which prosecutes former KLA fighters over alleged war crimes during the 1998–99 conflict for independence from Serbia.
The demonstration, organized by the Organization of KLA War Veterans (OVL-UÇK) under the slogan “Together Against Injustice. The KLA is Glory, Not an Indictment. Today the KLA, Tomorrow Our Entire History,” accused the court of being biased and unjust.
Participants filled Skanderbeg Square, chanting in support of the detained former KLA leaders and holding posters reading “They Are Heroes,” with the names of the four leaders currently on trial: former President Hashim Thaçi, former Parliamentary Speakers Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and former MP Rexhep Selimi.
Hysni Gucati, head of OVL-UÇK, told the crowd:
“The Special Court is distorting our history and showing injustice towards those who fought for freedom and human dignity.”
The four have been in detention since 2020, facing charges of murder, torture, and persecution of civilians during and after the war. The Special Court and its Prosecutor’s Office were established following a 2011 Council of Europe report alleging human organ trafficking by KLA fighters — claims not included in the formal indictments.
Since its establishment, the court has convicted two former KLA members, including Pjetër Shala. Gucati himself, along with another OVL official, was previously convicted in the Netherlands for witness intimidation and obstructing justice.
The protest remained peaceful, with no incidents of violence reported.
