The protesters put forward a number of demands directed at Kosovo’s institutions, including calls for the repeal or amendment of the legislation governing the Specialist Chambers.

Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, who were among the leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the 1998–99 conflict with Serbian forces, were found guilty by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers on September 16 of four counts of war crimes.

They have denied the charges and said they will appeal the first-instance verdict before the Specialist Chambers’ Court of Appeals.

Their prison sentences have drawn strong criticism in Kosovo, where the four men are widely regarded by supporters as national heroes.

The Institute for Crimes Committed During the War in Kosovo in 1998–99 says it has recorded a total of 12,230 war victims, the overwhelming majority of them ethnic Albanians killed by Serbian forces.

Thousands gather in central Pristina to protest prison sentences handed down to former KLA leaders by Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague

Speaking at the gathering, Hysni Gucati, head of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) War Veterans’ Organization, said that “today, we are all KLA.”

“We have come together today to speak out against a grave injustice. We are calling on the Specialist Chambers to overturn this decision and to take into account the voice of a people who have taken to the streets,” Gucati said.

At the conclusion of the protest, organizers put forward four demands to Kosovo’s Government and Presidency: repealing or amending the law on the Specialist Chambers; dismissing Justice Minister Donika Gërvalla; providing unlimited support and sufficient funding for the defendants’ legal defense; and bringing in leading international experts to support the defense of the KLA.

Gërvalla has come under criticism for what opponents have described as her failure to respond to the Specialist Chambers over the judgement sentencing former KLA leaders.

Senior political figures also joined the protest, which took place in the capital’s main squares. Among them were Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Bedri Hamza and lawmakers from the PDK and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, including Ramush Haradinaj.

Protesters chanted “KLA” and held up placards expressing opposition to the court’s ruling.

Before the demonstration began, Kosovo Police urged participants to comply with officers’ instructions, refrain from throwing objects or other hard items, and not wear masks.

During the protest near the headquarters of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) in Pristina, which was partially damaged by fire on Wednesday, some protesters were seen wearing masks.

Friday’s protest, organized by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) War Veterans’ Organization, followed a series of demonstrations held across the country since the court found the former KLA leaders guilty.

A day earlier, Thaçi, Kosovo’s former president, called on citizens to remain calm following the guilty verdict against him and his fellow former KLA members.

His lawyer, Luka Misetic, conveyed Thaçi’s message on Thursday, in which the former president thanked citizens for their support and described the September 16 verdict as unjust.

/rel/sm/