Vučić criticizes Afrim Gashi and Bekim Sali for opposing the convictions of former KLA leaders

Aleksandar Vučić has criticized the reactions of Albanian politicians in North Macedonia, including First Deputy Prime Minister Bekim Sali and Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ ruling in The Hague against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Gashi and Sali expressed regret following the decision against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, who received prison sentences totaling 81 years.

The Serbian president objected to the way they and other Albanian politicians in North Macedonia commented on the ruling.

“I thought they were criminals, at least convicted at first instance. No, it turns out they are all liberators, heroes and brave men,” Vučić said.

According to him, the views expressed after the court ruling show that Serbian victims are being excluded from the public and political narrative.

“In every statement, in every declaration, Serbs must be portrayed as criminals,” the Serbian president said.