Albanian diaspora rallies in Times Square in support of former KLA leaders; Tirana prefect shares footage

Following the first-instance verdict from the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, which sentenced the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army to a combined 81 years in prison, support for them has also been expressed outside Kosovo.

Last night, members of the Albanian diaspora gathered in Times Square, in the heart of New York, in a protest in support of the former KLA leaders. Participants voiced their opposition to the verdict and stressed what they said was the importance of preserving the memory of the Kosovo war and the sacrifice of the people.

Tirana prefect Shkëlqim Hajdari also shared footage from the New York rally on social media.

In his reaction, Hajdari said the Albanian diaspora gathered in Times Square to express support for the former KLA leaders, calling the verdict against them unjust.

“Yesterday in Manhattan, at Times Square! ALL TOGETHER, FOR ONE GOAL — FREEDOM FOR THE LIBERATORS!

Last night, the Albanian diaspora gathered as one body, with one voice and one goal: to stand by our brothers, the former KLA leaders, whom we believe have been unjustly convicted.

No matter which Albanian region we come from, today we are united by Kosovo, united by our history and our respect for those who fought and sacrificed for its freedom.

From America and everywhere in the diaspora, our message is clear: we do not forget our liberators and we do not forget the sacrifice of the people of Kosovo.

Together we have been through the hardest days and together we will continue to stand today — as brothers and sisters, as one diaspora and as one nation.

FREEDOM • JUSTICE • DIGNITY

Together for our brothers. Together for the liberators,” Hajdari wrote on Facebook.