Two events planned over Specialist Court verdict: “Freedom Has a Name” to march in Pristina and The Hague

The Specialist Court is expected to announce its verdict on September 16 in the case of four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, while preparations have begun in Kosovo and The Hague for events in support of them.

Ismail Tasholli, organizer of the “Freedom Has a Name” platform, announced that two events will be held. The first, titled the “March of Freedom,” will take place on September 12 in Pristina, while the second will be held on September 16 in The Hague, under the same slogan and at the time when the final verdict is expected to be announced.

According to Tasholli, the event in Pristina is expected to be the largest in Kosovo’s history, due to the experience of the two previous marches, strong public interest and its proximity to the Specialist Court’s verdict. He said cooperation for the event is broader than in previous gatherings, KosovaPress reports.

Tasholli predicted that at least 200,000 citizens would take part in the September 12 march. He said the number could be even higher, but expressed his belief that participation would not fall below 200,000.

The organizer of the “Freedom Has a Name” platform also spoke about a possible event if the verdicts against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi are acquittals. According to him, a motorcycle procession from Pristina Airport toward the capital’s center has been planned as a form of welcome for the former KLA leaders.

He recalled that a similar event had previously been held in The Hague and said that, if protocols and circumstances allow, the people of Kosovo will take to the streets to welcome them home.

Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi have been in detention in The Hague since the beginning of November 2020. The Specialist Court is expected to announce its verdict on September 16.