Hundreds of Albanians have gathered outside the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague in support of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The court is due to issue its first-instance verdict in their case on September 16.

The gathering took place one day before the verdict. Participants carried KLA flags and expressed support for the four former leaders.

Images show citizens from Kosova and various European countries who travelled to The Hague to attend the verdict. A large police presence was also visible outside the court.

Taulant Balla, chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, shared a video showing the atmosphere outside the court. He accompanied it with the message, “Acquittal for the Liberators.”

The hearing to announce the verdict will begin at 10:00 on September 16. The trial panel is expected to issue the first-instance verdict against the four former KLA leaders, who face proceedings before the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

/a.p./