The Special Court in The Hague is expected to announce on September 16 the verdict against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
Albanian Radio Television journalist Jonida Omeri reported directly from The Hague on the atmosphere the day before the decision, emphasizing the great interest the process has created in Kosovo, Albania, the region and beyond.
“Less than 24 hours separate us when the jury of the Special Court in The Hague will give the decision for the four of the Kosovo Liberation Army. After the closing statements held in February, the court has completed the stages of the process and it is expected that the decision will be announced around 10:00”, the journalist reported.
Over 10,000 Albanians are expected in The Hague
Awaiting the decision, 10,000 Albanians will march tonight in The Hague in support of the former leaders of the KLA and as a protest against the accusations. “Officially around 20:00 today, at least from what the organizers of this march have warned, over 10,000 Albanians from all over the world are expected to arrive in The Hague”, said Omeri.
According to her, Albanians from Kosovo, Albania and the diaspora are expected to participate in the gathering. The journalist announced that the organizers have planned a march from the premises near the court to another gathering point in The Hague. She added that it is expected that the Albanians will stay even during the day of the announcement of the verdict.
“Immediately after the decision is given, there will be a gathering of Albanians again to wait for the verdict, but of course also to celebrate, they emphasized, as they expect and have hopes that tomorrow there will be a decision in favor of the KLA four”, Omeri reported.
According to the journalist, the Dutch authorities have taken measures for the success of the gatherings and security around the premises of the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo in The Hague.
Omer said that the media representatives of the Special Court have announced that the Dutch authorities have been mobilized due to the large number of people who are expected to be present during the announcement of the decision.
What was witnessed during the process?
Referring to the judicial process, Omer said that the Prosecution has called more than 100 witnesses, while the defense of the four accused has also presented its testimonies.
Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, while all four have categorically denied the charges.
According to Omer’s report, some of the witnesses called by the defense, including people who held important positions during the Kosovo war, have disputed the claim that the four accused were part of a centralized command structure.
“Witnesses as various diplomats have emphasized that in fact at that time the Kosovo Liberation Army did not have a single command structure, but it was the field commanders who gave orders”, the journalist reported.
According to her, in these testimonies, Hashim Thaçi is described more as a political and diplomatic figure of the KLA, than as a person who gave military orders which were then implemented on the ground.
Omer emphasized that the judgment is expected to have not only legal, but also political significance, given the interest that the process has aroused in Kosovo, Albania and the region.
“Tomorrow’s decision is very important not only in terms of the legal aspect, but it is also very important in terms of the political aspect, as the decision affects not only Kosovo, but also beyond,” declared the journalist from The Hague.
She also mentioned Serbia’s interest in the process, as well as the positions expressed earlier by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the European Union.
The verdict is expected to be announced on September 16 in The Hague. The process against Thaçi, Vesel, Selim and Krasniqi has ended after a judicial procedure that lasted several years, while the first instance decision can be appealed by the parties.
