Sala Jashari, an MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, has called for institutional procedures to begin to abolish the Specialist Chambers following today’s decision against former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

She called on the presiding officer of the Assembly to convene an extraordinary session immediately so that opposition to the decision can be pursued through institutional channels.

Jashari said that the PDK would take all necessary steps, while she had personally requested that the Assembly convene tomorrow. According to her, the MPs will return from The Hague to begin the session and stand in support of the freedom fighters.

“We will consider all options for abolishing the Court. Above all, the message must be conveyed that the freedom fighters cannot be convicted in the name of the people. What we heard today is tragic for Kosovo. It is very important for all political parties, particularly the Albanian parties, to unite and hold discussions, because this is a decisive moment for Kosovo’s future,” Jashari emphasized.

The MP also called for a resolution to be drafted and adopted to make it clear to the international community that the KLA must not be convicted in the name of the Albanian people.

According to her, the Court was established and the freedom fighters went there believing that the proceedings would be fair. However, Jashari said that the Court has not acted fairly so far and has been entirely political.

She also mentioned the appeal by Hashim Thaçi’s lawyer to MPs to immediately initiate procedures to abolish the Court. Jashari reiterated that an extraordinary session must be held without delay and that a resolution should be adopted to show the international community and everyone else that the KLA cannot be convicted in the name of the Albanian people. According to her, every procedure should begin as soon as possible.

Addressing the protesters, Jashari appealed for restraint and calm and called for any confrontation with the Kosovo Police to be avoided.

She said she had come with the aim of asking those present, most of whom were young people, to remain calm. Jashari emphasized that Kosovo is facing a very difficult situation and that citizens must know how they will deal with it.

“No one expected this court decision. As MPs, it is our duty to take institutional steps and find a way to abolish this Court as soon as possible, while standing by the freedom fighters who were prepared to give everything for their country. I hope everyone will show restraint and remain calm, because this issue must unite us all,” she said.

Jashari reiterated her request for the protesters to remain calm, emphasizing that this is an issue that affects everyone and should unite them all. She urged them not to harm Kosovo’s police officers or its people in any way.

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The United Kingdom has called on all parties to remain calm and respect the judicial process following the ruling by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

The response came from the British minister for Europe, Lord Wood of Anfield, after the verdict was announced against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. He reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s support for justice and accountability.

“The United Kingdom respects the independence of the Court and its judicial process and remains committed to justice, accountability and reconciliation across the region,” Wood said.

According to him, maintaining calm is particularly important following the ruling, at a time when public reactions to the verdict have intensified in Kosovo and across the region.

London’s appeal came on the same day that the Specialist Chambers announced the first-instance ruling in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.

The United Kingdom has consistently supported stability and judicial processes in Kosovo, as well as throughout the Western Balkans.

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As the verdict in the case against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army is expected on September 16 in The Hague, warnings have intensified in Kosovo about the consequences a guilty verdict could bring. The U.S. Embassy in Pristina has also issued a security alert for American citizens, referring to the large protests announced in Pristina and other cities across Kosovo.

The embassy said the protests could involve large crowds, road blockages and significant difficulties with traffic. For this reason, citizens have been advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are expected to take place.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and war veterans have warned of serious developments in the event of an unfavorable verdict. MP Ganimete Musliu spoke of “extremely serious chain reactions” that could affect Kosovo and international actors. MP Mërgim Lushtaku said that all legal means would be used, but also mentioned the possibility of allowing citizens to arm themselves, linking this to the potential threat from Serbia.

Nasim Haradinaj, the former deputy head of the Organization of Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans, had also warned weeks ago of an escalation of the situation. In the event of a conviction, he said, “flames will engulf” not only Kosovo but also other parts of the region.

Publicist Fadil Lepaja has called on citizens not to fall into what he considers Serbia’s trap. According to him, Belgrade aims to revive the scenario of 2004 and turn Kosovo’s society against the West.

“I am convinced that the citizens of Kosovo will not fall into the trap set by Serbia by rebelling and burning Kosovo in the name of defending the KLA. The KLA can be defended only by defending Kosovo. Serbia can no longer deceive anyone with its attempt to repeat 2004, when it managed to portray war criminals as victims. Its aim is to turn the citizens of Kosovo against the West and the European Union, and the West against Kosovo,” Lepaja told Bota sot.

He added that encouraging violent protests could be used to set the protesters against the majority of Kosovo’s citizens. For this reason, he said, every protest should be dignified and demonstrate faith in the West and in justice.

Lepaja stressed that, regardless of the outcome of the proceedings, dissatisfaction must not be directed against the country. “We hope and believe that the Court’s verdict will be acquitting, in which case we will all celebrate together, both those who voted for and those who did not vote for the Special Court. However, even if the decision is not the one we want, our anger will not turn against Kosovo,” the publicist said.

In conclusion, he said that citizens must safeguard the country’s Euro-Atlantic course. “We will neither burn nor destabilize Kosovo. On the contrary, we will oppose every attempt by Serbia to return to Kosovo or tarnish our just war for freedom. The liberators fought so that this people could live in freedom and democracy, have a secure Euro-Atlantic path and choose their own government, while respecting differing opinions and minorities. This is our pledge, our legacy and our unstoppable path,” Lepaja concluded.

The Specialist Court, based in The Hague, was established as part of a special legal mechanism to examine allegations of crimes committed during and after the war in Kosovo. In 2015, Kosovo’s Assembly approved the constitutional amendments and legal framework that enabled the creation of the Specialist Chambers. They operate under Kosovo’s laws, while their seat is in The Hague.

The work of this court has been accompanied by strong political and social clashes in Kosovo. Its supporters see it as a mechanism for addressing individual allegations of crimes, while its opponents have expressed concerns about the way the KLA is being treated and the impact of the proceedings on the international perception of Kosovo’s war.

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