Gucati urges Kosovo Government to speak out on lists published by Serbia

Hysni Gucati, who heads the Organization of Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army, appealed to his former comrades-in-arms to avoid traveling through Serbian territory. This reaction came immediately after a Serbian group called “Heart of Heroes” made public the names of members of the 111th “Adem Jashari” Brigade and the 121st “Kumanova” Brigade.

This group, which gathers around itself former members of security forces from the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, has addressed the authorities in Belgrade and the War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office with the request to investigate the lists and assess whether the mentioned individuals bear criminal responsibility. At the same time, they have called on Interpol to issue global arrest warrants for former KLA members, while the same lists have also been forwarded to police authorities in several European Union member states.

In a statement to KosovaPress, Gucati warned the European Union not to be manipulated by Serbia’s game, stressing the risk of Kosovar citizens being detained. According to him, the Serbian authorities constantly aim to destabilize Kosovo and have never had good intentions toward Albanians, especially toward former KLA soldiers. Gucati emphasized that calls for caution to veterans have been made before, but now the situation is more sensitive due to the open publication of names by Chetnik circles.

The head of the veterans’ organization asked the Kosovo Government to take concrete steps and bring this issue to international forums. He highlighted the need for the Kosovar executive to communicate with EU members and states participating in Interpol through an official letter, in order to prevent possible arrests of KLA members.

Meanwhile, lawyer Arianit Koci stressed that the obstacles citizens face when passing through Serbia affect not only former soldiers but also ordinary people. He recommended that, at least during this period, everyone avoid traveling through that territory. Koci explained that although Serbian authorities have made continuous requests to Interpol, the vast majority of them have not been taken into consideration outside Serbia’s borders.

He added that Serbian police, despite these lists, continue to cause problems ranging from imposing fines to multi-day arrests, often over KLA symbols found on mobile phones or in vehicles. Although he appreciated the engagement of the Kosovar ambassador in Serbia, Koci underlined that government institutions still have room to do more in protecting the rights of their citizens.