Students marched from the Student Centre to Skanderbeg Square in Prishtina against the sentences handed down to four former leaders of the Kosova Liberation Army. Students from Prishtina, Prizren and Peja took part in the march.

Student representatives said the verdict would not change their view of those they consider to have fought for Kosova’s freedom. They said their generation did not experience the war but grew up in the freedom that followed it. The students also called for unity in defending what they described as the truth and dignity of the war.

Meanwhile, the son of Jakup Krasniqi also joined the march. The students dispersed peacefully after the event.

On September 16, the Kosova Specialist Chambers found Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi guilty of illegal or arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder. The Trial Panel sentenced Thaçi and Krasniqi to 25 years each, Veseli to 18 years and Selimi to 13 years. The court said the judgment concerns a first-instance decision, while the parties can pursue appeals.

/a.p./