Protest highlights clash over the Special Court: PDK demands a change to the law, LVV links it to the election of the president

The PDK’s demand for state protection for the KLA leaders is clashing with Vetëvendosje’s agenda in the Assembly. The PDK is demanding a change to the law without losing time, while LVV links it to institutional stability.

Tens of thousands of citizens gathered on Thursday in Pristina’s main squares, at the protest organized by the “Freedom Has a Name” platform, against the conviction of the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

The protesters waved KLA flags and held banners in support of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, demanding institutional engagement for their protection and release.

At the protest, organizers and speakers conveyed the message “Not in our name”, while asking the Government and the Assembly to take concrete action and proceed with changes to the Law on the Specialist Chambers.

One of the organizers, Çlirim Haziri, addressed young people, praising the sacrifice of the wartime generation and demanding that justice be based on evidence and fair standards.

Former deputy head of the KLA War Veterans’ Organization, Nasim Haradinaj, also demanded unity and responsibility from Assembly deputies, while calling on internationals, in his words, to restore the trust created during the KLA war.

In their speeches, Muhamet Mavraj, Lavdije Leci and Gazmend Syla spoke about the sacrifices for Kosovo’s freedom and demanded justice for the former KLA leaders.

A representative of the “Freedom Has a Name” platform, Ismail Tasholli, said the protest is not linked to political parties.

“Freedom Has a Name does not intend to stop, and we will also see other activities, from the most creative to the radical”, Tasholli added.

After the protest, in solidarity with the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), who are on trial in The Hague, the Kosovo Government building was lit up with the flag of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

The PDK-LVV clash after the protest

However, PDK deputy chair Vlora Çitaku reacted after a large Kosovo Liberation Army flag was placed on the Kosovo Government building.

Çitaku, in a Facebook post, said Albin Kurti must offer deeds, not words.

“And the demand to Albin Kurti is clear: bring the law to the Assembly and vote for it. Without losing time. The KLA needs state protection, not installations and empty words. Deeds, Albin. Not words”, Çitaku wrote.

Meanwhile, the head of the Vetëvendosje parliamentary group, Arbërie Nagavci, told RTK that the election of the president is a ‘priority above priorities’ because, according to her, no issue can be pushed ahead, including state lobbying against the convicting judgment against the KLA four.

Nagavci, regarding statements that the draft law on the Special Court should be voted on and that non-participation in the presidential election process should be avoided, said she expects responsibility from every political actor to carry out their duties in the Kosovo Assembly.

“By participating in the election of the president we not only avoid another round of new elections and save the state budget, but we are also serving the addressing of important topics, first of all the preparation and participation of all institutions in the state strategy to address this unjust decision at the Court of Appeal”, she said, as Telegrafi reports.