Thousands rallied across Kosovo late Friday against last week’s sentencing of former president Hashim Thaci and several close associates for war crimes during the 1990s fight for independence from Serbia.
Former KLA Member Joins Protest in Ferizaj
Bajram Shala, a former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), expressed his commitment to the cause by traveling from Switzerland to participate in a protest held in the southern town of Ferizaj.
Kosovo’s government swiftly condemned the ruling, with Prime Minister Albin Kurti calling it “unacceptable” and pledging support for the convicted men through the appeals process.
Krasniqi received 25 years, Veseli 18 and Selimi 13. Thaci resigned as president and surrendered to the court after his 2020 indictment.
All four said they would appeal. Protesters accuse the court established under Kosovo law but based in The Hague of political bias and criticise its use of evidence supplied by Serbia, which does not recognise Kosovo’s independence. He has remained in detention in The Hague ever since, with his time served counted toward his sentence.
