# Recognition of former KLA leaders and reaction to Hague verf > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/recognition-of-former-kla-leaders-in-kosovo-and-albania > Updated: 2026-09-28T15:36:18.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 4. In Pristina, a new mural was unveiled by artist OrangeGirl with support from the Directorate of Culture to honor the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and its leaders. The artwork depicts Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi, who are currently held in The Hague, symbolizing their transition from fighters to state-builders. Following this, the Tirana Artistic-Cultural Commission unanimously approved a proposal by Mayor Erion Veliaj to declare the same four former KLA leaders as ‘Honorary Citizens of Tirana’. The proposal cites their contributions to the Kosovo Liberation War, their political leadership during Kosovo's independence process, and their strong ties to Albania. Mayor Veliaj noted that Tirana serves as the ‘center of Albanianism’. The situation escalated following the first-instance verdict by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The court found the four leaders guilty of war crimes committed during the 1998–1999 conflict, specifically concluding they shared a ‘common criminal purpose’, resulting in prison sentences ranging from 13 to 25 years. However, they were acquitted of crimes against humanity, persecution, torture, and murder. The Kosovo Assembly responded by unanimously adopting a declaration with 99 votes, expressing ‘deep concern’ and labeling the verdict ‘unacceptable’. The declaration calls for a unified state strategy involving legal, institutional, and diplomatic actions to protect the ‘truth and purity of the liberation war’. Political groups, including the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Self-Determination Movement, have proposed measures to limit the court's jurisdiction. Kosovo's Minister of Justice, Donika Gërvalla, stated that the ministry is preparing for the appeal process, emphasizing that the matter is a ‘legal battle rather than one of media declarations’. ## Claims - Legal experts are comparing the current war crimes trial of former KLA leaders to the Ante Gotovina case in Croatia. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Assembly considers the judicial finding of a common criminal purpose to be unacceptable. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The declaration was passed with 99 votes. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Tirana Municipal Council is considering a proposal to name four former KLA leaders as Honorary Citizens of Tirana. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The proposal for Hashim Thaçi cites his contribution to the Kosovo Liberation Army and the journey toward independence. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The decision now moves to the Tirana Municipal Council for final institutional review and decision-making. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Fatmir Limaj stated that the Special Court's verdict is an attempt to rewrite the history of Kosovo. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-28: Pristina Mayor praises Kosovo Assembly unity on KLA trial declaration Pristina Mayor Përparim Rama praised the Kosovo Assembly's institutional unity in passing a declaration regarding the trial of former KLA leaders in The Hague. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pristina-mayor-praises-kosovo-assembly-unity-on-kla-trial-declaration ### 2026-09-28: Kosovo Assembly rejects verdict against former KLA leaders The Kosovo Assembly passed a declaration with 99 votes expressing deep concern and rejecting the finding of a “common criminal purpose” in the Hague court's verdict against four former KLA leaders. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kosovo-assembly-passes-declaration-against-kla-leaders-verdict ### 2026-09-26: Kosovo Assembly rejects Hague verdict against former KLA leaders The Kosovo Assembly approved a declaration condemning the Hague Specialist Chambers' verdict against former KLA leaders, while Tirana moved to name them honorary citizens. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tirana-commission-approves-honorary-citizenship-for-four-former-kla-leaders ### 2026-09-08: Pristina unveils mural honoring former KLA leaders A mural by artist OrangeGirl has been unveiled in Pristina, honoring four former KLA leaders currently held in The Hague. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pristina-unveils-mural-honoring-former-kla-leaders --- Cite as: Recognition of former KLA leaders and reaction to Hague verf. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/recognition-of-former-kla-leaders-in-kosovo-and-albania