Thousands Rally in Skopje Demanding Release of Former KLA Leaders

Mass Demonstration in North Macedonia's Capital

Skopje, North Macedonia – On December 13, 2025, thousands of Albanians from Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia converged on Skanderbeg Square in Skopje for a large-scale protest. The demonstration was organized to demand the release of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders currently facing trial at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The rally, primarily spearheaded by the Organization of KLA War Veterans (OVL-UCK), saw participants carrying banners and chanting slogans emphasizing that 'liberators should be honored, not judged'.

Calls for Justice and Innocence

Prominent political figures and former KLA members addressed the crowd, reiterating calls for justice and the acquittal of the accused. Among the speakers were Ali Ahmeti, Chairman of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) and a KLA founder, and Hysni Gucati, Chairman of the OVL-UCK. Ahmeti stated that the trials against former KLA leaders should conclude with an 'epilogue of innocence', asserting that figures like Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi are accused of acts they did not commit. Other political personalities, including Vlora Çitaku, Ganimete Musliu, Daut Haradinaj, and Fatmir Limaj, were also reported to be in attendance, showing solidarity with the cause.

The Hague Trials and Accusations

The former KLA leaders – Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi – are currently on trial at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague. They face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during and immediately after the 1998-1999 Kosovo War. All four defendants have consistently denied these charges. The prosecution concluded its case on April 15, 2025, and the defense teams for Thaçi and Krasniqi began presenting their evidence on September 15, 2025. Hearings for November and December 2025 were subsequently cancelled, with the court expected to issue a decision on the next steps in the proceedings. Final trial briefs from the defense are anticipated by December 22, 2025.

Regional Context and Concerns

This protest in Skopje marks the fifth such demonstration in support of the former KLA leaders, following previous rallies held in Pristina, The Hague, Tirana, and Strasbourg. While organizers emphasized the peaceful nature of the event, there were underlying concerns regarding potential interethnic tensions in North Macedonia. Notably, some former KLA soldiers were advised by the OVL-UCK not to participate in the Skopje protest due to the perceived risk of arrest by Macedonian authorities, citing Europol lists allegedly provided by Serbia.