Protesters oppose Specialist Chambers ruling and call for institutional response

Citizens gathered outside the Kosovo government building to voice their opposition to the Specialist Chambers’ ruling against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Several protesters described the ruling as unjust and called for civic action to continue peacefully.

Nazif Fllanza described the gathering as poorly attended and the ruling against the former KLA leaders as one of the harshest.

Fllanza calls for a peaceful nationwide strike

“This protest has drawn a poor turnout, while the ruling is harsh and among the worst. We hope it will not stand. The leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, who sacrificed everything for Kosovo, have been sentenced, and this constitutes a crime against the KLA. Hashim Thaçi and his comrades have been sentenced to 25 years in prison, even though they defended the country. I call on the people to organize a mass strike, but peacefully, so that citizens become aware and join this strike,” he said.

Arton Klona, a citizen from Drenas, said the protests should continue until action is taken regarding the former KLA leaders who are in The Hague.

Klona: Protests will continue until action is taken for former leaders in The Hague

“We will stay all night and wait until a decision is made regarding them. Parliament must also come before us and guarantee our right to protest until the KLA soldiers are released, because they have been treated unjustly. We are also waiting for some of the KLA leaders, who have told us that we will mobilize together and decide how to proceed in the coming days. I do not believe we will stop until action is taken for the KLA and the individuals in The Hague,” he said.

Avni Ulluri said the number of participants was insufficient, describing the protest as symbolic.

Ulluri: The response must be peaceful, without radical measures

“This protest is symbolic. Kosovo cannot achieve anything with 200 people. It is not only the leaders who have been convicted; the state itself has been condemned. Now we must see what will happen and who will come to Kosovo. I came from Germany, but participation and support have been very limited,” Ulluri said.

He added that he did not support the use of radical measures, insisting that any response should be peaceful.