The Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans’ Organization (OVL-UÇK) has expressed strong concern and opposition to the language and arguments used by prosecutors during their closing statements at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
In an official reaction issued on Tuesday, the veterans’ organization claimed that the prosecution’s assertions, including references to the alleged involvement of UÇK leadership in a “Joint Criminal Enterprise,” represent an attempt to criminalize Kosovo’s liberation struggle and rewrite the historical narrative of the conflict.
OVL-UÇK Rejects Prosecution Allegations
According to OVL-UÇK, the prosecution’s claims are unacceptable and politically sensitive, arguing that such accusations undermine the legitimacy of the armed resistance during the Kosovo war.
The organization stated that labeling former UÇK leadership as part of an alleged criminal enterprise constitutes a direct attempt to tarnish the image of the liberation war and distort the historical context of Kosovo’s fight for independence.
“Such claims represent a direct attempt to stain our liberation war and distort the historical truth of the just resistance of the people of Kosovo,” the organization said in its statement.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings in The Hague
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers, established to examine alleged war crimes linked to members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, have remained a highly sensitive and politically significant issue in Kosovo and the broader region.
The prosecution’s use of the legal concept of Joint Criminal Enterprise (JCE) has been controversial, as it suggests coordinated involvement of leadership figures in alleged criminal acts. Supporters of the accused have frequently argued that the charges risk equating the liberation movement with organized criminal activity, while legal experts emphasize that the court operates under international legal standards and procedures.
Political and Public Reactions Continue
The veterans’ organization reiterated its position that the UÇK’s actions were part of a legitimate liberation effort, reflecting the will of Kosovo’s population during the conflict period of the late 1990s.
The statement is expected to further intensify public and political debate in Kosovo, where the Specialist Chambers proceedings have consistently generated strong reactions among political groups, veterans, and civil society organizations.
The legal process at the Hague-based court is ongoing, with further developments anticipated as the cases move toward final judicial decisions.
