In a statement issued on Thursday, the opposition SDSM responded to the recent first-instance verdict delivered by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against former Kosovo Prime Minister and President HashimThaçi and three other co-accused former members of the disbanded Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The party emphasized that decisions by international courts must be respected while the appeals process is ongoing.
The main opposition party stated that the legal process is not yet concluded and called for respect for the court’s decision, as well as for avoiding the incitement of tensions and divisions.
SDSM noted that it had taken the same stance regarding the case of RatkoMladić, stressing that the law should not be applied differently based on nationality. The statement also criticized remarks made by Macedonian Parliament Speaker AfrimGashi, which SDSM deemed “highly inappropriate”, noting that he holds a state office and represents a country that—as the party pointed out—aspires to join the European Union.
“This is not a verdict against the Albanian people. It is not a verdict against Kosovo’s right to freedom. The court is trying individuals,” SDSM stressed, adding that the verdict should not be turned into an ethnic issue.
