Night of songs and emotions in Skanderbeg Square, citizens await the fate of former KLA leaders

Amid deep anxiety and strong emotions, many citizens spent the night in Skanderbeg Square in Pristina, accompanied by songs and personal stories, while awaiting the court’s decision in The Hague on the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Those present gathered believing that Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi will be declared innocent and will return to Kosovo, the homeland for which, as they emphasize, they sacrificed everything.

Bashkim Jashari from Batllava, a citizen present, recounted that the night was focused on the hope for acquittal, adding that the country’s freedom is meaningless without the physical presence of these figures. He stated that they stayed the whole night, even being served hot drinks, and that the people are ready for any sacrifice, because the state has no value if they are kept imprisoned. The war for liberation from Serbia, according to him, must now be completed with liberation from the Hague process.

In the same vein, Argjend Sopi from Podujeva expressed himself, describing the wait as a moment full of emotion, but also tension for the families and the entire people. He stressed that he sees no alternative other than innocence, describing the KLA’s war as pure, just and liberating. According to him, a possible conviction would be a blow to the entire nation, and his intuition speaks only of a liberating outcome.

The square filled with a festive spirit, as those present sang and shared memories from the war years. Arian Dukaj from Pristina felt proud and confident that the liberators will celebrate victory in their own home, considering the wait as a minimal obligation to their contribution. He added that he never allowed his mind to think negatively, believing only in justice and goodness.

Sevdije Sadiku from Vushtrria also recounted that the night passed with melodies and hope for the freedom of the fighters, carrying banners and calling for a positive decision from the court. She stressed that the Albanians waged a just war, without committing acts of genocide or war crimes. She described a feeling of turmoil in the morning, with her heart pounding from emotions, hoping that the nation’s suffering would end and justice would prevail.

Another participant, Çlirim Haziri, said that the late hours were filled with conversations and memories of war experiences, while the wait would continue until the verdict is published. He declared that Albanians, wherever they are, expect only one answer: the release of their leaders, and he invited everyone to join in the square to celebrate.

The decision of the Specialist Chambers will now determine the fate of a judicial process that has lasted several years in The Hague. Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi and Selimi have faced charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which they have consistently contested.