Kurti: The Hague verdict contains errors, we expect them to be corrected on appeal

After meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti also commented on the latest ruling of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

He expressed concern about some of the court’s conclusions and the sentences handed down, while highlighting three elements of the judgment that, according to him, should be made known internationally.

Kurti said that claims about the so-called “Yellow House” and organ trafficking were not part of the indictment.

“First, claims about the so-called ‘Yellow House’ and organ trafficking were not included in the indictment,” he stated.

As a second point, the prime minister mentioned the fact that the court dismissed the charges of crimes against humanity and of widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population.

“Second, the charges of crimes against humanity and widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population have been dismissed,” Kurti said.

The third element, according to him, relates to the Specialist Chambers’ clarification that the Kosovo Liberation Army is not the subject of the trial.

“Third, the Specialist Chambers have made clear that the Kosovo Liberation Army is not on trial and that their judgment is not intended to harm the justice or legitimacy of the liberation war,” he said.

Kurti stressed that, apart from these points, the Government of Kosovo remains concerned about other conclusions of the decision and the severity of the sentences imposed.

He said he expects these issues to be reviewed at the appeal stage, arguing that the judgment may contain inaccuracies in factual, historical and legal terms.

“We also have major concerns about other conclusions and about the heavy sentences. We assess that they contain factual, historical and legal errors and expect them to be corrected on appeal. Justice must be impartial and must be perceived and experienced as such,” the prime minister declared.

During his remarks, Kurti also spoke about people who suffered sexual violence during the war in Kosovo. He demanded that the perpetrators of these crimes face justice.

“Approximately 20,000 people are victims of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo, while many of the perpetrators have still not been punished. Kosovo demands justice for every victim, for every crime and for every perpetrator,” Kurti said.

According to him, the creation of narratives that place responsibilities for crimes on the same level should not be allowed.

“We cannot allow responsibility and guilt to be equated just because someone wants to build alternative narratives,” he said.

In conclusion, the prime minister thanked Ursula von der Leyen for her visit to Kosovo and said the country is ready to continue the European integration process.

“President von der Leyen, I thank you once again with all my heart for being here. Kosovo has fulfilled its part and is ready for the next step toward membership in the European Union,” Kurti concluded.