Tens of thousands of citizens responded to the call for the March for Freedom in Pristina on Saturday, a rally in support of the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Political participation was evident, with MPs and officials from many parties in attendance, but the leaders of the two main political formations, Albin Kurti of the Vetëvendosje Movement and Lumir Abdixhiku of the Democratic League of Kosovo, were not seen in the square. Most of those present were representatives of the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Alliance.
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The Vetëvendosje Movement had publicly supported the march in favor of the former KLA leaders, even though its chairman was absent. Several party members and ministers from the caretaker government were spotted in the crowd, including Andin Hoti, the minister for the Values of the Liberation War. Hoti said he was convinced that the four liberators would return home free. “This court is political and it will come to an end; the four liberators will return to Kosovo free. That is what we hope and believe,” he declared.
Asked about the absence of his leader, Hoti offered an explanation, emphasizing that the protest did not belong to any particular party. According to him, “This protest does not belong to the Vetëvendosje Movement, it does not belong to any political party. I see many citizens here, including members of political parties; it does not matter.”
The chairman of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, did not attend, although he had been officially invited. However, deputy chairman Lutfi Haziri and other officials from the party were present. Haziri stressed the need for a common stance that transcends party divisions. “Today we must demonstrate without political distinctions, just as the KLA was—there was one goal: freedom and democracy in this country,” he said.
The Democratic Party of Kosovo described the march as one of the most important dates in the history of the state. A PDK spokesperson expressed the expectation that the outcome of the court proceedings on September 16 would bring victory for Kosovo and close one of the most difficult chapters since independence. “We expect this outcome, this serious six-year ordeal of detention, on the 16th to restore victory to Kosovo, and for the Albanian people to conclude one of the most difficult battles they have ever faced. I see it as one of the most important dates since the declaration of independence,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Alliance joined the march with a group led by chairman Ardian Gjini and founder Ramush Haradinaj, accompanied by other members. MP Time Kadrijaj called the prolonged detention of the former fighters senseless. “For this injustice to happen to Kosovo is nonsense. Such a court should have been established in Serbia because of the abuses, massacres, and killings of children and elderly people, not in Kosovo,” Kadrijaj declared.
The “Freedom Has a Name” organization thanked around 100,000 citizens for taking part and expressed its belief that the liberators would be free on September 16. Other Vetëvendosje MPs were also seen at the march, including Shqipe Selimi and Adnan Rrustemi, as well as the acting defense minister, Ejup Maqdonci.
