The Albanian community in Texas is expected to hold a protest today in Austin in support of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
According to the organizers’ announcement, the gathering will take place at 1:00 p.m. near the Texas State Capitol building in Austin.
The organizers have described the protest as an event calling for justice and a fair trial, while expressing opposition to what they characterize as political persecution of the former KLA leaders.
The protest comes following the September 16 verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
According to the verdict, Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years in prison, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years. The combined sentences of the four former KLA leaders amount to 81 years in prison.
The gathering in Austin is expected to be another event organized by Albanian diaspora communities following the verdict of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
