Hundreds of people gathered in cities across Kosovo to protest the war crimes convictions of four former senior Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, figures by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague on September 16.
In several cities across Kosovo, citizens gathered on Friday to protest the decision by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague to convict four former senior Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, figures, including former President Hashim Thaçi, for war crimes.
The protests, organised by the KLA War Veterans’ Organisation, were held in Skenderaj, Ferizaj, Peja, Prizren, Mitrovica and other cities.
Protest in Ferizaj, September 25, 2026. Photo: BIRN/Rexhep Maloku
Despite rain and cold temperatures, protesters gathered carrying KLA symbols and chanting slogans for ‘Justice’ and ‘Freedom’ in support of the former KLA leaders.
During one of the protests in Thaçi’s hometown Skënderaj, Hysni Gucati, the head of the Veterans’ Organization said, that the decision is “unjust” considering that during the Kosovo war “more than 5,000 soldiers were killed, around 13,500 citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, including over 1,350 children, and over 20,000 women were raped.”
“Today we are convicted with a total of 81 years in prison while Serb criminals walk freely in Serbia and Mitrovica. This is unacceptable for us. We ask for an appeal as soon as possible and for the verdict to be revoked,” Gucati said, urging the Kosovo Parliament to initiate the change and amendment of the law on the special court.
Protest in Skenderaj, September 25, 2026. Photo: BIRN/Arton Hamiti
On September 16, the Hague court sentenced four former senior KLA figures to a combined 81 years in prison, for the war crimes of arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture, and murder from April 1998 to June 20, 1999, in Kosovo and two locations in Albania.
Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison, while Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli, and Rexhep Selimi were sentenced to 25, 18, and 13 years in prison respectively. The time they spent in detention in the Hague, since November 2020, will be included.
In Peja, Flakrina Shala, the daughter of fallen KLA fighter Ahmet Shala, called for justice and respect for the former KLA leaders.
“We are asking for nothing more than justice, dignity and respect for the former KLA leaders who are in The Hague today,” Shala told protesters.
Protest in Peja, September 25, 2026. Photo: BIRN/Nora Osmani
In Ferizaj, Violeta Rexhepi, the daughter of another fallen KLA fighter Ramadan Rexhepi, said that the fight for justice would continue.
“I thought that day [when the Hague court announced its verdict] would be the final battle, but I realised that the battle would continue—the battle not to forget, not to remain silent, and for justice,” she said.
“I cannot forget, I cannot remain silent, and I want to speak and demand justice for all those who gave their lives and contributed to freedom.”
Florian Thaçi, representing the Union of Students, during a speech in Peja, called for a fair and impartial appeal process.
“The freedom that seems ordinary to us today was once a dream for which lives were given,” he said, adding that protesters believed in justice and that individual responsibility should be established on the basis of evidence and the rule of law.
Protest in Mitrovica, September 25, 2026. Photo: BIRN/Florinda Kelmendi
In Mitrovica, Gjyle Haziri of the ‘Voice of Parents’ association said those convicted by the Specialist Chambers were being held unjustly in The Hague.
“We have many people in The Hague who are being held unjustly. Not only these four, but all those who were previously convicted in the name of Kosovo,” Haziri said.
“After 27 years without justice, where is the justice for those who were killed? Where is the justice for the 20,000 victims of sexual violence? Does this court have no justice for the people of Kosovo? We are asking only for justice. Freedom for the liberators,” she added.
Kosovo citizens and supporters of the KLA have protested daily since the verdict was announced on September 16, in the Hague, with protests happening up to twice a day in Kosovo.
For nine consecutive nights, thousands of people have gathered in Prishtina’s squares to oppose the convictions of the former KLA leaders, chanting “Jo në Emrin Tim (Not In My Name)” as a response to presiding judge Charles Smith III choice of words– “in the name of the people of Kosovo… you are found guilty” – when announcing the sentences. This protest, organized by the movement Liria Ka Emër (Freedom Has a Name) is expected to continue on Friday evening, separately from the afternoon protests across the country.
The four men had pleaded not guilty. This is a first instance verdict and can be appealed. Thaçi’s defence has publicly announced that it will challenge the verdict.