Students defend the KLA: “No court changes how we see the liberators

A student march took place today in Pristina, starting from the Student Center and ending at Skanderbeg Square, in protest against the court ruling that convicted four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Donart Humolli, a student from the capital, stressed that no court can change the perception that Kosovo’s youth has of the country’s liberators.

Humolli: We reject any unjust judgment against those who brought us freedom

“Today the youth of Kosovo lives free in a sovereign, democratic and multiethnic state. While respecting and protecting all minorities in Kosovo, a people that has suffered oppression for decades understands well the meaning of injustice, so we do not wish it upon anyone, and precisely for this reason we reject any unjust or punitive judgment against those who secured this freedom for us. Through this message, I want to address both those who are today unjustly in The Hague and the entire democratic world: there is no court or decision that will change the way the youth of Kosovo sees our liberators,” he said.

On the other hand, Granit Spahiu, a representative of the Student Parliament of the University of Pristina, stressed that the voice of students has led the Republic’s process for a long time.

Spahiu: This is our voice as students

“So let everyone know that this is our voice as students, this is the voice that has led the process of the Republic of Kosovo since ’89, and it will lead it today and forever. Honoring the KLA,” he declared.

The march also included students from Prizren. Riard Bislimaj, from the Student Parliament of the University of Prizren, said this is a generation that did not experience the war but enjoys the freedom won by the sacrifice of others. He stressed that today’s freedom carries a responsibility to remember and to speak when necessary.

Bislimaj: The freedom we have today is a responsibility

“Today Prizren has not gathered to keep silent; today Prizren and Kosovo have gathered to speak. And the voice heard today is the voice of students. We are a generation that did not experience the war, but we were born into the freedom that followed. We came to universities, built dreams and made plans for the future because someone before us fought so that we could have this opportunity. Therefore, when our past is touched, when the sacrifice of those who fought is called into question, and when their families still carry on their shoulders the burden of that period, we cannot pretend that this does not concern us. It concerns us! Because the freedom we have today is a responsibility — a responsibility to remember, a responsibility to speak, a responsibility not to allow the history of Kosovo to be written without the voice of Kosovo,” he said.

Students from Peja were also part of the march. Their representative, Leart Hysaj, stressed that today they are more united than ever to defend the clean war of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Hysaj: The KLA is part of our history

“Students, as always on the front line, have been at the forefront whenever the Albanian nation has needed it. Today too we will be more united than ever to defend what we consider most precious: the Kosovo Liberation Army, the KLA. The KLA is part of our history, our memory and our national identity. We call on institutions and Albanian citizens in Kosovo, Albania and wherever Albanians live to stay united and support one another in defending historical truth and the dignity of the war for liberation. The Albanian nation is one, we are one, we are Albanians yesterday, today and forever,” he said.

The son of Jakup Krasniqi was also present at the gathering and joined the crowd. After the march ended, the students dispersed peacefully.

The September 16 judgment against the four former KLA leaders is a first-instance ruling, and appeal proceedings may affect the final outcome of the case, namely the decision of the Court of Appeals.

On September 16, the Trial Panel found all four defendants guilty of war crimes, including unlawful or arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder, sentencing them to a total of 81 years in prison.

Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years in prison, including time already spent in detention.