Prime Minister Albin Kurti has voiced strong criticism following the announcement that the final judicial verdict for the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) has been postponed to July 20, 2026.
Speaking to the media today, Kurti emphasized that the government had no prior notification of the delay, highlighting what he described as a lack of transparency from the Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
Critique of the Judicial Framework
Kurti reiterated his long-standing opposition to the very existence of the Special Court, calling the day of its establishment—August 3, 2015—one of the “darkest days” for independent Kosovo.
“Kosovo needs normal courts, not special courts,” Kurti stated. “The government has no access to the dynamics and developments happening in the Special Court, which is characterized by a lack of transparency toward our country.”
The Legacy of the KLA
The Prime Minister used the occasion to defend the historical significance of the KLA’s insurgency against Serbian forces in the late 1990s. He framed the conflict as a necessary struggle against an “occupying genocidal regime.”
Key points from Kurti’s address:
- A Just War: He defined the KLA’s mission as an anti-colonialist struggle and a just war for liberation.
- The Genocidal Context: Kurti referred to the events of 1998-1999 as the “fourth genocide” committed by Serbia against the Albanian people.
- Political Errors: He called for national reflection on the “political mistakes” of the past that led to the creation of an external judicial body to judge Kosovo’s citizens.
Innocence and “Unjust Detention”
Expressing solidarity with the “KLA Four”—Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi—Kurti stated that they are being held “unjustly in The Hague.” He expressed firm belief in the innocence of the leaders and the purity of the liberation movement’s cause.
The delay of the verdict by another two months adds to the mounting frustration in Pristina regarding the length of the proceedings, which have seen the former leaders in detention since late 2020.
The “KLA Four” Trial Timeline
- November 2020: Former leaders transferred to The Hague after the indictment was confirmed.
- April 2023: The trial formally commenced.
- May 2026: Original expectation for a verdict.
- July 20, 2026: New scheduled date for the final judicial decision.
Analysis: A Strained Relationship with The Hague
Kurti’s comments reflect a broader sentiment within Kosovo that the Specialist Chambers focus disproportionately on the KLA while Serbian officials responsible for war crimes remain largely unpunished. By calling for “normal courts,” the Prime Minister is signaling a desire for Kosovo to exercise full sovereign judicial authority over its history and its citizens, moving away from the “Special” internationalized status that has defined the last decade.
