The Presidency of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo (ASHAK) has expressed deep concern regarding the proposal of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office to seek a cumulative sentence of 180 years of imprisonment for four leading figures of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA): Hashim Thaçi, former President of Kosovo; Kadri Veseli, former Speaker of the Assembly; Jakup Krasniqi, former Speaker of the Assembly; and Rexhep Selimi, former Member of Parliament.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, ASHAK emphasized that judicial proceedings must be conducted in full compliance with international standards of justice and with respect for human rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the European Convention on Human Rights. According to the Academy, any deviation from these principles constitutes political interference and undermines the credibility, legitimacy, and impartiality of the judicial process.
ASHAK underscored the historical and moral significance of the KLA’s liberation war, stressing that it was waged to protect the civilian population and to liberate Kosovo. The contribution of the KLA leadership to this historic process is considered decisive and, according to ASHAK, cannot be relativized or stigmatized through proceedings that may be driven by political motives.
Furthermore, ASHAK strongly opposed any attempt to relativize the genocide committed by Serbia against the civilian population of Kosovo. The Academy emphasized that the KLA’s struggle and the sacrifices made by the Albanian people for Kosovo’s freedom are part of documented historical truth and cannot be denied or misrepresented for any purpose.
In this context, ASHAK proposed that Kosovo’s institutions establish independent mechanisms to monitor potential human rights violations by the Specialist Chambers, with the aim of ensuring transparency, accountability, and full adherence to international justice standards.
According to the Academy, such an approach is essential for the proper functioning of Kosovo’s democratic institutions, the preservation of historical memory, and the strengthening of the rule of law. ASHAK also expressed its readiness to provide scientific expertise and professional analysis to support the creation of monitoring mechanisms, ensuring that all judicial proceedings are conducted fairly, impartially, and with respect for Kosovo’s historical and civic values.
