Thousands of people filled the streets of Prishtina on Saturday for the “March for Freedom,” a major show of support for the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) facing trial in The Hague.
The march came just four days before the scheduled verdict in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, whose final judgment is set to be announced on September 16.
The main stage was set up at Skënderbeu Square, where large crowds gathered alongside the surrounding streets and squares, including Mother Teresa Square and Zahir Pajaziti Square.
Political leaders, war veterans, families of the defendants and families of those killed during the war were among those attending.
The march was organized by the civic movement “Liria ka Emër” and featured speeches calling for a fair and impartial judicial process.
Hysni Gucati, chairman of the Organization of KLA War Veterans, said veterans and their families were demanding justice and warned that what he described as an unfair process would serve the interests of Serbia and Russia.
“Freedom for Kosovo was won through hardship and sacrifice. No courtroom can erase this truth,” Gucati said.
Democratic Party of Kosovo leader Bedri Hamza also addressed the crowd, saying that a decision would not be accepted if it was deemed unjust.
“Those who make the decisions, from this square we tell you: think about the consequences before you decide on September 16,” Hamza said.
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo leader Ardian Gjini said the four former KLA leaders had fought for Kosovo’s freedom and that the time had come to express gratitude to them.
“No one will ever manage to stain our story of freedom,” Gjini said.
The streets of Prishtina were dominated by Albanian and Kosovo flags, as well as KLA emblems. Demonstrators carried banners expressing support for Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi.
All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
They have been detained in The Hague since November 2020, while their trial began on April 3, 2023. The prosecution has accused them of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Kosovo and northern Albania between March 1998 and September 1999.
The prosecution has sought prison sentences of 45 years for each of the four defendants.
The prosecution completed its case in April 2025, while the defense concluded its presentation in December 2025. Closing statements were delivered in February 2026.
The verdict was initially expected earlier this year but was postponed. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers later announced that the judgment would be delivered publicly on September 16, citing the complexity of the case and the volume of evidence.
Saturday’s march is one of several large gatherings held in recent years in support of the former KLA leaders and against the proceedings at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
The Kosovo Government also thanked the organizers and participants after the march, saying the gathering had conveyed its message.
With the verdict now only days away, Saturday’s massive turnout in Prishtina once again demonstrated the deep public attention surrounding the Hague proceedings and the legacy of the KLA war in Kosovo.
