Column of veterans and citizens crossing the border to go to protest in Tirana

The veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army have crossed the border with Kosovo and Albania.

Dressed in UCK's uniform and listed one by one, in this form they are heading towards Tirana, where today at five o'clock, in “Square. Skenderbej”, nationwide protests will be held in support of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders, who are being held in custody by the Special Court in The Hague.

The protest is organised by the KLA War Veterans' Organisation and aims to seek justice for the accused and defend the values of liberation war.

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In support of the protest, Albania's Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has decided that the Nation's Road will be free for 24 hours to facilitate the circulation of participants from Kosovo and other Albanian parts.

The protest has received widespread support from war-free organisations. The Co-ordination Council of the War Associations has declared full support, stressing that the protest is a fair response to what they describe as “the injustice to Kosovo deliverers”.

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“If there is justice, KLA leaders will be released and turned white. It is time for this black cloud over the Republic of Kosovo to end,” said Xhavit Jashari, chairman of the Association of Families of Kosovo Witnesses.

Meanwhile, the Policy Prisoners' Association, through President Sefik Sadiku, has also called for transparency by the Special Court and for the quick outcome of its mandate.

We support the protest in Tirana and every attempt to defend the values of our liberation war. The court must avoid any further injustice,” Sadiku said.

Participants are expected to come from all Albanian trains and exiles, to a gathering aimed at conveying national unity and a clear request for justice in the process to former KLA leaders.