International media echo KLA protest in Tirana

From Tirana to Washington, the protest echo for former KLA leaders crossed borders. Thousands of citizens filling “Square Skenderbej” on Friday afternoon in support of Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, became news in the world's largest media.

The Associated Press, The Telegraph, New York Post and The Washington Post devoted broad areas to protest in the Albanian capital, describing it as a nationwide demonstration of justice and as a strong sign of solidarity among Albanians in the region.

The Associated Press writes that citizens gathered in Albania's capital to protest against The Hague's EU-backed Special Court, naming it biased, and prosecuting their former fighters who held the 1998-1999 war for independence from Serbia.

Kosovo's “Demonstrater and other European countries filled the main Skenderbej Square in Tirana in support of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders, or KLA, a former Kosovo Albanian guerrilla group that led the fight for independence. Many carried Albanian and KLA national flags, while a group of former fighters and some young people were wearing KLA uniforms. Some sang songs about KLA and freedom.”, said in the article.

Media also stress that the protest was not political and that “was organised by the veterans' association known as O VL- The UCK and supported by Albania's government and prime minister under the motto: “Liria has a name. Justice for the Saviors. ”

The emphasis is also on former President Alexander Moisiu's presence.

“Alfred Moisiu, 95, was also present and called for justice, saying defendants “have been detained without evidence, on charges fabricated”.

They also mention the number of Albanians killed during the war and the tensions that still follow with Serbia. “GThe jykata and a related prosecutor's office were created after a 2011 report by the Council of Europe, a human rights body, including charges that KLA fighters trafficked human organs taken from prisoners and killed Serbs and ethnic Albanian fellow citizens. The charges of taking organs are not included in the indictment issued by the tribunal.

Two other former KLA members have already been sentenced by the tribunal. Gucati and another official of The KLA was also sentenced by the court for threatening witnesses and obstructing justice. Some 11,400 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died during the war, before a NATO bombing campaign forced Serbia to withdraw its troops from Kosovo and submit control of its former UN and NATO province.

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, which was recognised by the United States and most of the West, but not by Serbia or its allies Russia and China. Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia remain high”, said in article Associated Press.