Following the announcement of the first-instance verdict by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, which sentenced the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army to a total of 81 years in prison, support for them has also been expressed outside Kosovo.
Last night, members of the Albanian diaspora gathered in Times Square, in the heart of New York City, for a protest in support of the former KLA leaders. Participants expressed their opposition to the verdict and stressed the importance, in their view, of preserving the memory of the Kosovo war and the sacrifices made by the people.
Footage from the gathering in New York was also shared on social media by the Prefect of Tirana, Shkëlqim Hajdari.
In his statement, Hajdari said that the Albanian diaspora had gathered in Times Square to express support for the former KLA leaders, describing the verdict against them as unjust.
“Yesterday in Manhattan, in Times Square! ALL TOGETHER, FOR ONE PURPOSE — FREEDOM FOR THE LIBERATORS!
Last night, the Albanian diaspora came together as one, with one voice and one purpose: to stand by our brothers, the former leaders of the KLA, whom we believe have been unjustly convicted.
Regardless of which Albanian region we come from, today we are united by Kosovo, by our history and by our respect for those who fought and sacrificed for its freedom.
From America and throughout the diaspora, our message is clear: we do not forget our liberators, and we do not forget the sacrifices of the people of Kosovo.
We stood together during the most difficult days, and together we will continue to stand today — as brothers and sisters, as one diaspora and as one nation.
FREEDOM • JUSTICE • DIGNITY
Together for our brothers. Together for the liberators,” Hajdari wrote on Facebook.
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