Categories: english

Kurti commemorates Gradinë’s four fallen heroes: They died fighting for Kosovo’s freedom

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti paid tribute to the memory of four members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Fehmi Lladrovci, Xhevë Krasniqi, Fatime Hetemi and Shefqet Zeka, who fell as martyrs on September 22, 1998, in the village of Gradinë.

According to Kurti, 28 years ago they were immortalized as martyrs of freedom after confronting Serbian forces and defending the civilian population of Drenica.

Të lidhura

None found

In a Facebook post, he wrote that “8 years ago,” on September 22, 1998, Fehmi Lladrovci from Gllanasella, Drenas, and his wife, Xhevë Krasniqi from Drenoc, Malisheva, fell in battle in Gradinë. Fatime Hetemi from Bistrica e Shalës and Shefqet Zeka from Pristina also lost their lives in the same confrontation. They were fighting against Serbia’s armed forces, which had advanced toward Çikatova and Gllanasella, with the aim of protecting Drenica’s civilians.

Kurti also recalled that Fehmi Lladrovci, an early political activist who had served time in prison between 1985 and 1991, was intensively involved with political emigrants in Germany during the 1990s. In mid-1997, he returned to Kosovo, where he helped organize the armed resistance.

He described Fehmi, also known as Feha, as a man with experience, patriotic values and moral integrity. Lladrovci was the commander of the KLA’s 114th Brigade and was considered one of the most prominent leaders of this emerging army.

Xhevë Krasniqi, who had degrees in literature and law, together with Fehmi formed a couple who had transformed their love for each other into love for their homeland and its freedom.

During the final weeks of the offensive, when the Serbian police and army were carrying out numerous operations against the KLA, Fatime Hetemi, Xhevë’s friend, and Shefqet Zeka, a fighter in the brigade commanded by Fehmi, also fell in the same battle. Kurti paid tribute to Fehmi Lladrovci, Xhevë Krasniqi Lladrovci, Fatime Hetemi and Shefqet Zeka, who fought to the death with the conviction that Kosovo’s freedom would be the trophy of their war and their lives.