Lepaja ahead of Hague verdict: Citizens should not fall into Serbia’s trap

As the verdict in the case against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army is expected on September 16 in The Hague, warnings have intensified in Kosovo about the consequences a guilty verdict could bring. The U.S. Embassy in Pristina has also issued a security alert for American citizens, referring to the large protests announced in Pristina and other cities across Kosovo.

The embassy said the protests could involve large crowds, road blockages and significant difficulties with traffic. For this reason, citizens have been advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are expected to take place.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and war veterans have warned of serious developments in the event of an unfavorable verdict. MP Ganimete Musliu spoke of “extremely serious chain reactions” that could affect Kosovo and international actors. MP Mërgim Lushtaku said that all legal means would be used, but also mentioned the possibility of allowing citizens to arm themselves, linking this to the potential threat from Serbia.

Nasim Haradinaj, the former deputy head of the Organization of Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans, had also warned weeks ago of an escalation of the situation. In the event of a conviction, he said, “flames will engulf” not only Kosovo but also other parts of the region.

Publicist Fadil Lepaja has called on citizens not to fall into what he considers Serbia’s trap. According to him, Belgrade aims to revive the scenario of 2004 and turn Kosovo’s society against the West.

“I am convinced that the citizens of Kosovo will not fall into the trap set by Serbia by rebelling and burning Kosovo in the name of defending the KLA. The KLA can be defended only by defending Kosovo. Serbia can no longer deceive anyone with its attempt to repeat 2004, when it managed to portray war criminals as victims. Its aim is to turn the citizens of Kosovo against the West and the European Union, and the West against Kosovo,” Lepaja told Bota sot.

He added that encouraging violent protests could be used to set the protesters against the majority of Kosovo’s citizens. For this reason, he said, every protest should be dignified and demonstrate faith in the West and in justice.

Lepaja stressed that, regardless of the outcome of the proceedings, dissatisfaction must not be directed against the country. “We hope and believe that the Court’s verdict will be acquitting, in which case we will all celebrate together, both those who voted for and those who did not vote for the Special Court. However, even if the decision is not the one we want, our anger will not turn against Kosovo,” the publicist said.

In conclusion, he said that citizens must safeguard the country’s Euro-Atlantic course. “We will neither burn nor destabilize Kosovo. On the contrary, we will oppose every attempt by Serbia to return to Kosovo or tarnish our just war for freedom. The liberators fought so that this people could live in freedom and democracy, have a secure Euro-Atlantic path and choose their own government, while respecting differing opinions and minorities. This is our pledge, our legacy and our unstoppable path,” Lepaja concluded.

The Specialist Court, based in The Hague, was established as part of a special legal mechanism to examine allegations of crimes committed during and after the war in Kosovo. In 2015, Kosovo’s Assembly approved the constitutional amendments and legal framework that enabled the creation of the Specialist Chambers. They operate under Kosovo’s laws, while their seat is in The Hague.

The work of this court has been accompanied by strong political and social clashes in Kosovo. Its supporters see it as a mechanism for addressing individual allegations of crimes, while its opponents have expressed concerns about the way the KLA is being treated and the impact of the proceedings on the international perception of Kosovo’s war.