On the fifth anniversary of the arrest of former KLA leaders, the War Veterans Organization held a symbolic action in front of EULEX, placing a yellow tape on the doors with the inscription “5 years of organized injustice,” reports KosovaPress.
The head of the KLA War Veterans Organization, Hysni Gucati, said that with this symbolic action, the organizations emerging from the war are showing UNMIK and EULEX that they are holding the former KLA leaders hostage. He stated that EULEX is trying to equate Kosovo’s liberation war with the Serbian–Chetnik hordes.
“Today marks five years of innocence, injustice, away from families and fellow fighters—five years during which many of their loved ones have passed away, and they were not there even to say their last goodbye. This for a war that brought us freedom, peace, and our own state. Today we are here to tell UNMIK, EULEX, and the internationals that you have held these people hostage, you have kidnapped those who brought us freedom, independence, peace, and democracy. The KLA fought a just war for its country, for its people, for all citizens to live freely—and not for us today to be treated as criminals. EULEX and its people are trying to equate Kosovo’s liberation war with the Serbian–Chetnik paramilitary hordes. We are not the ones who committed crimes,” said Gucati.
When asked whether he believes in an acquittal for the former KLA leaders, Gucati said they do not believe in the justice of the Specialist Chambers.
“The path this court has taken—no, I don’t believe in it. But I do believe in God that they will come back free. This court, however, is more political than judicial,” he said.
Meanwhile, former KLA fighter Bujar Haradinaj said that the evidence presented by the Special Prosecution has been based on witnesses paid by Serbia.
“We have seen the testimonies presented by the Special Prosecution. We’ve seen that most of them are witnesses paid or recruited by Serbia, most of whom have provided numerous false statements. We’ve expressed our dissatisfaction, in most cases through protests organized both in Kosovo and abroad. As for the process, we don’t have much hope for justice,” said Haradinaj.
Today marks five years since the arrest of former President Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi, who are being unjustly tried at the Special Court in The Hague.
