Thousands of citizens gathered today in the main squares of Prishtina to show their support for the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) who are on trial in The Hague. The march, organized by “Liria ka Emër” (“Freedom Has a Name”), called for justice for the KLA leadership, not politics, reports KosovaPress.

In addition to citizens from across the country, the region, and beyond, Kosovo’s president, Vjosa Osmani, also participated in the march, standing alongside the son of former president Hashim Thaci, Endrit.

Although the KLA leadership is currently in detention, they followed the march in solidarity, which today filled the capital’s main squares.

Holding banners that read “Freedom Has a Name,” “History Cannot Be Rewritten,” and “Freedom in the Name of the People,” Albanians demanded justice for the former leaders of the KLA.

Ismajl Tasholli, founder of the “Liria ka Emër” platform, said that despite ongoing trials, the KLA’s struggle was a liberation effort and cannot be relativized.

According to him, the demands are for impartial justice, not political agendas, rejecting any equation of the aggressor with the victim.

From Prishtina, Tasholli sent a message of support to the accused in The Hague, emphasizing that an entire nation stands behind them and that this is only the beginning.

“This day is not just a celebration. It is also a reminder that in The Hague, our former KLA and state leaders — Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi — are present, names that for many represent entire chapters of our history, resistance, and state-building. Regardless of the trials, one thing is clear: the KLA’s struggle was a liberation war, and this cannot be undone because our history is not abstract — it has numbers and pain. The KLA was not born to take land but to protect its home; it was born not for domination but for freedom. This is the historical truth that can never be relativized. Our calls for justice, not politics, are not against anyone; they are for collective dignity. We cannot accept that processes carried out in the name of the people of Kosovo be used to equate aggressor with victim or to blur the liberation character of our war. If justice deviates from principles of equality and impartiality, and if the trial in The Hague is called to act in the name of the people of Kosovo, we here say clearly: not in our name. Justice cannot be selective; it cannot be manipulated. It must be transparent and equal for all. Only then can it speak in the name of a people. Citizens want justice, not politics, and today on Independence Day we send a clear message to those in The Hague: Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi — you are not alone. Behind you stands an entire nation, behind you stands history, sacrifice, and our freedom. This is only the beginning,” he said.

Before thousands of participants, Tasholli emphasized that when it comes to the KLA, there are no divisions or distinctions — only full unity. He highlighted that the KLA is the foundation of freedom and a symbol of sacrifice and national identity.

Amid emotions and tears, Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman called for the release of the former KLA leaders.

In her speech, she emphasized that injustice and the violation of freedom are what unite the Albanian people, calling for justice and support for the former KLA leaders facing trial in The Hague.

Krasniqi Goodman named Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi, expressing her belief that they will be freed.

The speech at this grand march in support of the former KLA leaders was also given by former KLA fighter Muhamer Ibrahimi, who said they are not afraid of justice because those who fight for freedom are never afraid of the truth.

Ibrahimi told thousands of citizens that they are at the march because the heart of Kosovo, along with every participant, beats with great concern in The Hague, where a prolonged trial against the KLA leadership is taking place.

One of the first female fighters of the KLA, Shqipe Krasniqi, emphasized that the trial of former KLA leaders in The Hague directly affects the memory and sacrifice of the liberation struggle.

During the march “Justice, Not Politics,” she stated that on Independence Day, citizens are not only gathered to celebrate but to remember the high price of freedom and to support comrades facing international justice.

She added that injustice against the former leaders pains the entire society because it undermines the sacrifices made for the country’s liberation.

According to Krasniqi, facing justice is part of state-building, but justice must be independent and based on the facts and circumstances of the wartime period.

Xhavit Haziri’s son, Çlirim Haziri, stated that they will not allow sacrifice to be equated with guilt and that they will not leave their heroes alone in The Hague.

On February 9 of this year, the final statements began in The Hague for the trial of the former KLA leaders.

This marks the final phase of the largest trial at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

The defense teams of Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi have requested that all four be acquitted of all charges.

They stated before the panel that there is no evidence supporting the allegations made by the Special Prosecutor’s Office regarding war crimes.

The Chief Specialist Prosecutor, Kimberly West, has requested a 45-year prison sentence for each of the former KLA leaders.

Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi face charges brought by the Office of the Specialist Prosecutor, which they have rejected as unfounded. The defense has also refuted these charges, arguing that the KLA did not have an organized command structure.

The trial against them began on April 3, 2023 — nearly three years after the indictment was confirmed — while the former KLA leaders have been held in The Hague detention center.