AFP reports on march: Serbia's special, sensitive evidence due to its atrocities during the war

Tens of thousands of people marched through Kosovo's capital on Tuesday, protesting the war crimes trial of the country's former president and other former governors.

The rally, held on the country's Independence Day, came ahead of the last hearing session at the trial of former president and political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK), Hashim Thaci, along with three senior figures of the rebel movement, has written AFP for today's protest in Pristina, which was then broadcast by France's state radio, RFI, as well as France 24, reports Express.

Wavering red flags decorated with the yellow and black coat of the KLA, crowds cheered on the name of the paramilitary force as they marched through downtown Pristina.

Air - air images broadcast by local media showed protesters filling the main square and several roads around. AFP journalists in the crowd estimated there were tens of thousands.

Organisers, who are members of Thaci's political party, said they expected turnout to reach over 200,000, with President Vjosa Osmani joining the march as well.

The trial of Thaci and other defendants in front of Kosovo's Specialised Chambers (DHSK) in The Hague has been hearing final statements for more than a week before the last phase can issue a decision.

The four face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, for their alleged responsibility for murder, torture and other abuse committed by members of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the 1990s war.

The prosecutor demands a 45-year prison sentence for everyone.

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Our Heroes

But the men's trial, still seen by many in Kosovo as war heroes, has caused harsh reactions.

They're our heroes. They have to be released because Kosovo still needs to receive”, said architecture student Daut Hasani, for the AFP at the rally.

Ragip Ramadani, a pensioner who went to protest from his house to the southern town of Dragas, said the court was not conducting a fair trial.

It only prosecutes Albanians, but not those who committed the most serious crimes during the”, the 65-year-old said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Albin Kurti mentioned the accused in a speech marking the 18th anniversary of independence, noting that each of them's “contribution to freedom and independence is appreciated”.

“History will be the one to render due judgment”, Kurti said.

Serbia's role

Evidence offered by Serbia, which has never recognised Kosovo's independence, is especially sensitive due to the extent of atrocities committed by the Serbian police and military during the 1998-1999 conflict.

Thousands of ethnic Albanian victims were discovered in mass graves after the war, and a separate court has condemned several former Serbian military and police officials for war crimes.

But the indictment against Thaci and other defendants claims members of the Kosovo Liberation Army have also committed crimes against hundreds of civilians and persons who did not participate in the fighting, at detention centres in Kosovo and northern Albania, further writes AFP.

The victims, it says, included Serbs, Roma and Kosovo Albanians considered political opponents.

Founded by the country's parliament, the Specialised Chambers investigate and prosecute alleged war crimes committed by ethnic Albanian guerrillas during the war.

Although part of Kosovo's judicial system, it is physically located in The Hague and has only international judges on staff in an effort to protect witnesses from possible retaliation in the country.

Final statements by the accused, including Thaci, are scheduled for Wednesday./Periscopi/

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