Kosovo Assembly rejects Hague verdict against former KLA leaders

Kosovo Assembly UÇK leaders Specialist Chambers war crimes trial Hague tribunal

The Kosovo Assembly has unanimously approved a declaration expressing deep concern regarding the first-instance verdict by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague against former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi. The declaration, which received 99 votes in favor, rejects the finding of a common criminal purpose and calls for a unified state strategy involving legal, institutional, and diplomatic actions to protect the historical truth of the Kosovo war.

Political reactions have been widespread. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has proposed legislative changes to limit the jurisdiction of the Specialist Chambers and ensure sentences are served in Kosovo. Meanwhile, Kosovo's Minister of Justice, Donika Gërvalla, stated that her ministry is preparing for the upcoming appeal process, emphasizing that the matter is a legal battle rather than one of media declarations.

In a separate development, the Tirana Artistic-Cultural Commission unanimously approved a proposal by Mayor Erion Veliaj to declare the four former KLA leaders as ‘Honorary Citizens of Tirana’ in recognition of their contributions to Kosovo’s independence and their ties to Albania.

Entities

Erion Veliaj · Hashim Thaçi · Jakup Krasniqi · Kadri Veseli · Kosovo Assembly · Kosovo Liberation Army · Rexhep Selimi · Tirana · Tirana Municipal Council · Tirana Municipality

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The proposal for Hashim Thaçi cites his contribution to the Kosovo Liberation Army and the journey toward independence. ntv.al
[○ 1 SOURCE] Fatmir Limaj stated that the Special Court's verdict is an attempt to rewrite the history of Kosovo.
[● 2 SOURCES] The decision now moves to the Tirana Municipal Council for final institutional review and decision-making. ntv.al
[● 6 SOURCES] Legal experts are comparing the current war crimes trial of former KLA leaders to the Ante Gotovina case in Croatia. www.syri-vision.tv · gazeta.mk · veriu.info · javanews.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The proposal for Jakup Krasniqi highlights his contribution to the war and his long-standing connection to Tirana. ntv.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The Artistic-Cultural Commission of Tirana unanimously approved the proposal for the honorary citizenship of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi. ntv.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The Tirana Municipal Council is considering a proposal to name four former KLA leaders as Honorary Citizens of Tirana. ntv.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The proposal for Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi is based on their contributions to the KLA and the independence process. ntv.al