A Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veteran, Agim Pllashniku, protested in front of the Government building of Kosovo, where he also placed photographs of former KLA leaders Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi.

During the protest, Pllashniku opposed statements made by Prime Minister Albin Kurti regarding the former KLA leaders who are being tried in The Hague, saying that he should apologize to them, to war veterans, and to the families of martyrs.

He also described the Vetëvendosje Movement as a “terrorist organization,” claiming that it has acted against the state of Kosovo.

“To call these people criminals, Albin Kurti has no reason, because we are liberators. Those who attack the state are terrorists. Vetëvendosje is also a terrorist organization because it has attacked the state of Kosovo, which these people liberated. They are also defending Kosovo’s independence in The Hague; they are defending all of Kosovo, the entire Albanian people, and Albanian territories. This is the last message I give, and let Albin Kurti know well: he must not insult any liberator anymore. He must not insult or offend any liberator. If there is evidence against any liberator, since we have our state institutions here—the Prosecutor’s Office, the Courts, and the Police—they should send them there, not insult liberators. Even worse now while they are in The Hague. Albin Kurti is also dealing with them; when he calls Rexhep Selimi a criminal, he is also calling me and all members of my veteran family criminals.”

Speaking about the former KLA leaders facing trial at the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, he said they are being held unjustly, adding that Kurti should know they are liberators, not criminals.