Former political representative of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Bardhyl Mahmuti, strongly criticized the Kosovo Specialist Chambers for holding a court session against former President Hashim Thaçi on November 28, Albania’s Independence Day—one of the most symbolic dates for Albanians.
Mahmuti described the decision as a “grave provocation and contempt toward the history and values of the Albanian nation,” arguing that the timing of the hearing was an intentional affront.
In an open letter addressed to Thaçi, Mahmuti recalled that Thaçi, along with Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli, and Rexhep Selimi, has been held in detention for five years—detention he calls “unjust and politically tainted.”
A Parallel With Carla Del Ponte’s Actions
Mahmuti compared the timing of the latest hearing to actions by former ICTY Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte, who announced charges against Ramush Haradinaj on March 4–5, 2005—dates that coincide with the massacre of the Jashari family and some of the most tragic events of 1998.
According to Mahmuti, such timing reflects a pattern of “symbolic provocation” by international prosecutors who “claim to act on behalf of the people of Kosovo.”
He also reiterated his longstanding criticism that Del Ponte’s indictments relied heavily on material from the Serbian State Security Service, arguing that many of the alleged “details” used to build indictments were directly lifted from propaganda sources. Mahmuti emphasized that the ICTY ultimately acquitted Haradinaj in 2012, rejecting the claim that the KLA was a “joint criminal enterprise.”
“Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied”
Mahmuti wrote that the evidence presented in Thaçi’s case has been severely undermined and accused the prosecution of deliberately prolonging proceedings despite a faltering indictment.
“After the collapse of the prosecution’s pillars during the defense phase, the Albanian people expected the court to move toward a final verdict and declare full innocence,” he said.
Holding a session on November 28, he argued, only deepened the perception that the process is alienated from Kosovo’s historical context and the sentiments of its people.
A Message of Support
Mahmuti concluded his letter by expressing solidarity with Thaçi and the other detained leaders:
“With respect and pain for all the suffering you have unjustly endured over these past five years.”
The Specialist Chambers have not yet commented on the criticism regarding the date of the hearing.
