Less than 15 hours before the Specialist Chambers issues its first-instance verdict against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Altin Krasniqi, the son of Jakup Krasniqi, stated that these are moments of extraordinary weight.

He expressed conviction that the KLA waged a just and clean war, and that its leaders fought for the dignity of the Albanian people.

Speaking about the visits to The Hague, Altin Krasniqi said that his father, Jakup Krasniqi, gave them strength and courage at every meeting. According to him, Jakup Krasniqi emphasized that not only his fight, but also that of every soldier and of each person being tried, was in service of the freedom and dignity of Albanians.

“At every meeting with my father, he motivated us and gave us courage. He told us that the KLA’s war, not only his, but that of every soldier and of each person being tried here, was just and was done for the dignity and freedom of the Albanian people. The KLA waged a clean war, and no verdict can undo the pride that this people feels for the Kosovo Liberation Army,” Krasniqi told KosovaPress.

He also shared that he has dreamed of his father’s release and that the family feels pain over his detention. Nevertheless, according to Altin Krasniqi, the pain would be much greater if Jakup Krasniqi had not been a member of the KLA.

“Of course I have dreamed of his release, and I am extraordinarily proud of the path my father chose. It is normal to feel pain, but the greatest pain for me would be if he had not been part of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the state-building process of Kosovo. For this reason, I am proud, and regardless of the verdict that will be delivered today, he and his comrades will remain the heroes of Kosovo and our pride,” he said.

Krasniqi informed that the family and members of the defense team will appeal any verdict that is not in favor of the former KLA leaders. If the verdict is not positive, he asked for the situation to be handled with calm and prudence.

“We must stay united, because this matter goes beyond politics. As a people, in these moments we must set aside divisions and come together, because only in this way can we move forward, develop the country, and build a democratic state that advances. Our family and part of the defense team will appeal any unjust verdict. I think everything should be awaited with calm and prudence, and we should see what happens tomorrow. There is no evidence or testimony that incriminates the KLA’s war, so any verdict other than their innocence would be political and unjust,” Krasniqi said.

The hearing for the delivery of the first-instance verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi will begin tomorrow at 10:00.

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