The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has expressed deep concern over today’s verdict against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the sentences handed down by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
In a statement, LDK called on Kosovo’s citizens to remain calm, measured and responsible, stressing the importance of preserving civic unity following the verdict.
“Freedom and independence in Kosovo are built on the sacrifice of generations, on the political and peaceful resistance led by President Ibrahim Rugova, on the war of the Kosovo Liberation Army, and on the decisive support of our allies, the United States of America and the North Atlantic Alliance NATO. This legacy belongs to all of us, and the responsibility to preserve it belongs to everyone,” LDK said.
The party stressed that, regardless of today’s verdict, the historical truth about the war in Kosovo cannot, in its view, be undone by a court decision.
LDK also recalled the crimes committed by the Serbian regime during the Kosovo war, saying that Serbia carried out what it described as genocide, crimes against humanity, terror and ethnic cleansing, including the killing of civilians, forced displacement and the destruction of villages and cities.
“Faced with this brutality, the people of Kosovo fought for survival and freedom. The sons and daughters of the Kosovo Liberation Army defended the threshold of their homes,” the party said.
LDK said it remains committed to the rule of law and supports exhausting all available legal avenues of appeal, including proceedings before the second-instance court.
The party also urged political representatives to act responsibly, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and contribute to maintaining calm and civic unity.
“We call on all political forces to put divisions aside and stand together to face this difficult period for Kosovo. Our freedom has cost us dearly. Our state is everyone’s responsibility. Let us protect Kosovo, civic unity and the friendships that stood by us on the road to freedom and independence,” LDK said.
The party concluded by describing the KLA as “the proudest part of the modern history of our people,” saying it remains so “yesterday, today and forever.”
