Mass protests against verdict on Thaçi

 

TT-AFP

  

Published 22.00

 

 

Mass protests in Kosovo against the verdicts handed down by a special tribunal in The Hague against former President Hashim Thaçi and three other leaders of the KLA guerrilla force. Photo: Florent Bajrami /AP/TT

Thousands of people gathered to protest in Kosovo on Friday to express their dissatisfaction with the verdict against former President Hashim Thaçi, delivered by a special tribunal in The Hague.

Thaçi was a key figure in the war of independence against Serbia, but the tribunal in the Netherlands sentenced him to 25 years in prison for war crimes.

Three other leaders from Kosovo's war against Serbia were also sentenced to long prison terms. The war claimed approximately 13,000 lives and only ended following NATO airstrikes against Serbian targets.

Many of those protesting the verdict in nine cities on Friday carried flags featuring the colors symbolizing the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) movement: blood red, black, and gold.

"The [verdict] is a stain on our nation's history," said Bajram Shala, a former KLA member.