Protests after the KLA verdict: measured messages calmed the crowds, former police chief says

Protests were expected to be more tense had the verdict against the four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army been a conviction.

On September 16 in The Hague such a verdict was handed down, with Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi sentenced to 81 years in prison.

That day, citizens’ reactions were harsher, targeting the EULEX mission in Prishtina. But every day since, up to the 11th day, they have been calm.

Protests against the decision were organized by students, the KLA War Veterans’ Organization and various groups, but the one that continues is the citizens’ protest, echoing every night at 21:00 in “Skënderbeu” Square in Prishtina.

Throughout this time, political actors in government and opposition called for the revolt to be expressed peacefully and without causing material damage.

And politicians’ public statements in such situations greatly help the Kosovo Police manage them.

That is what former police director Reshat Maliqi told KosovaPress, adding that such statements calm the crowds and ease the entire process.

“So far I can say these are good statements, calm statements that send good messages, that calm the protesters… a good statement, a measured statement with a good message helps the police enormously because it calms the situation, calms the crowds, and we truly need that now. We disagree — I believe there is no one who agrees now with the court’s decision on the four — but that disagreement must be shown in calm forms, in more measured forms, not by attacking institutions or individuals,” Maliqi said.

He even warned that at such events there are persons infiltrated by Serbia who pay others to cause incidents to Kosovo’s detriment.

“From a security prism I can say we don’t have that many friends. We have enemies surrounding our borders, interested in these protests producing much and in blood being spilled again. I believe there are infiltrated persons paid perhaps by foreign services, especially Serbia’s service, for an incident to happen there, for a problem to happen, so they can then attack Kosovo’s institutions, international institutions, which are not favorable, do not help Kosovo, nor do they help the Four in The Hague,” he added.

Meanwhile, one of the politicians who had declared that reactions as a sign of revolt would be more tense is Nait Hasani of the PDK.

Hasani now tells KosovaPress they have never reacted aggressively toward anyone, only seeking unity in defense of national values.

“We have never reacted aggressively toward anyone. We have sought and continue to seek unity in defending our values, so I congratulate the citizens and invite them to keep coming out in defense of our values, because they are values that made Kosovo a state. So as a state we must come out in defense of our values of the Kosovo Liberation Army and its leaders who are in The Hague,” Hasani said.

The MP asks protest organizers to call for a larger turnout at these events. And according to him, whoever thinks differently has lost the political orientation of the time.

“I think protest organizers should ask through social networks to gather people, bring people, give support, gather as many people as possible to show the world we all have one goal. All those who write differently are a minority, people who have lost the political orientation of the time,” he added.

In the wave of rallies opposing the Hague verdict is also the all-people’s protest march “Not in my name”, announced for October 1, Thursday, at 16:00.

On September 16, the Special Court found former president Hashim Thaçi guilty with 25 years in prison, former Kosovo Assembly speaker Jakup Krasniqi with 25 years, former PDK chairman Kadri Veseli with 18 years and former MP Rexhep Selimi with 13 years, KosovaPress reports.