For about an hour, thousands of citizens participating in a rally in Skopje called for justice for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi, who are currently on trial at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers for alleged crimes against humanity.
During the rally, a large banner was displayed with photos of the UÇK leaders reading: “Liberators Should Be Honored, Not Tried.”
The protest took place under strict police supervision and no incidents were reported.
The event, organized by groups formed from the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK), aimed to express dissatisfaction with the trial of their former commanders at the Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The trial of Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi, and Selimi began in 2023 and is expected to conclude early next year.
All four defendants deny accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed before and during the 1998–1999 Kosovo War.
Hysni Gucati, Chairman of the Organization of Kosovo Liberation Army Veterans (OVL-UÇK), stated that the gathering aimed to “raise our voices” and demand “genuine justice” for the former UÇK leaders.
“Today, with such a large turnout… we are showing Trendafilova that the Kosovo Liberation Army comes from, is born of, and operates with the people,” said Gucati, referring to Ekaterina Trendafilova, President of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
He added that the UÇK “grew and was protected by the people, and today the people stand behind it. We are demanding justice today. This court resembles Serbian courts and deals with falsified and fabricated evidence that does not hold up.”
Also attending the protest were Ali Ahmeti, Chairman of the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) in North Macedonia, as well as politicians from Kosovo, including Fatmir Limaj and Daut Haradinaj.
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, recently stated that he does not support the protest but assured that institutions would ensure it proceeds smoothly and without incidents.
Prior to this event in Skopje, OVL-UÇK organized protests in The Hague, Tirana, Strasbourg, and Pristina in support of the former UÇK leaders currently facing trial at the Specialist Chambers for alleged crimes during the Kosovo War.
