Not in my name,” protesters in Pristina oppose Special Court sentences: Rallies to continue

Under the slogan “Not in my name,” citizens gathered in Pristina on Thursday evening to protest the Special Court’s verdicts against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Çlirim Haziri, one of the protest organizers, said that the KLA needs support and that they would respond to this call.

Haziri and the other speakers who addressed the participants confirmed that the rallies would not stop, but would continue in the coming days. Through the protests, they are demanding the return of those convicted.

The organizers called on citizens to join the rallies, stressing that they must be held peacefully.

Among those taking part in Thursday evening’s protest were the children of former President Hashim Thaçi and former Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli.

One day before the protest, the Special Court sentenced Hashim Thaçi to 25 years in prison and Kadri Veseli to 18 years. Jakup Krasniqi was also sentenced to 25 years in prison, while Rexhep Selimi received a 13-year sentence.

Following the announcement of the verdict, further rallies have been announced across Kosovo. War veterans have also said they will organize a protest on Friday.