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Monday, March 2, 2026
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James Rubin: Such allegations against KLA leaders were fabricated
American diplomat James Rubin, known as Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's right-hand man during the Clinton administration, appeared today as a defense witness in the trial of KLA leaders at the Special Court in The Hague.
During questions posed by the defense, Rubin also focused on allegations of executions and crimes allegedly committed by leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. He stressed that he had no information linking the KLA leaders to these accusations. "I have concluded that many of these accusations and allegations were fabricated and linked to disinformation campaigns by Russia and Serbia," Rubin stated, among other things, during his testimony. He added that the information he received from the field went through several levels of verification, emphasizing that based on them he had formed the conviction that the allegations against the KLA leaders were unfounded. The statements of the American diplomat give a strong impetus to the defense of the former KLA leaders.
During questions posed by the defense, Rubin also focused on allegations of executions and crimes allegedly committed by leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. He stressed that he had no information linking the KLA leaders to these accusations. "I have concluded that many of these accusations and allegations were fabricated and linked to disinformation campaigns by Russia and Serbia," Rubin stated, among other things, during his testimony. He added that the information he received from the field went through several levels of verification, emphasizing that based on them he had formed the conviction that the allegations against the KLA leaders were unfounded. The statements of the American diplomat give a strong impetus to the defense of the former KLA leaders.
National
OVL-UCK mobilizes thousands of citizens for justice
Thousands of citizens gathered today in Pristina's Skanderbeg Square, in a protest organized by the Organization of KLA War Veterans (OVL-KLA), to oppose the Special Court.
Several well-known public and international figures spoke at the protest, including Hysni Gucat, Arbër Cacajn, investigator Nevenka Tromp and Ali Ahmeti.
Nevenka Tromp, known for her role as an investigator in the trial of Slobodan Milošević at the Hague Tribunal, expressed her solidarity with the protesting citizens.
"Your leaders went voluntarily, believing, like you, that justice would be served quickly. They did so knowing the danger it posed to every war veteran. Because they believed in their cause. They believed that the war they fought for was just. However, "Here we are five years later, they are still in detention with no verdict on the horizon," Trump said, among other things.
Amid calls for justice and an end to long detentions without verdicts, protesters demanded equal treatment by international justice and respect for the history of Kosovo's liberation war.
Several well-known public and international figures spoke at the protest, including Hysni Gucat, Arbër Cacajn, investigator Nevenka Tromp and Ali Ahmeti.
Nevenka Tromp, known for her role as an investigator in the trial of Slobodan Milošević at the Hague Tribunal, expressed her solidarity with the protesting citizens.
"Your leaders went voluntarily, believing, like you, that justice would be served quickly. They did so knowing the danger it posed to every war veteran. Because they believed in their cause. They believed that the war they fought for was just. However, "Here we are five years later, they are still in detention with no verdict on the horizon," Trump said, among other things.
Amid calls for justice and an end to long detentions without verdicts, protesters demanded equal treatment by international justice and respect for the history of Kosovo's liberation war.
National
Kosovo marked the 26th anniversary of Liberation Day, commemorating the entry of NATO forces in 1999.
Kosovo today marked the 26th anniversary of Liberation Day – a historic date that marked the end of the war and the beginning of a new era for the country. On June 12, 1999, over 50,000 NATO troops entered the territory of Kosovo. After 78 days of bombing against Serbian forces, the KLA's war on the ground, and decades of systematic oppression of the Albanian population, the conditions for the liberation of the country were created.
This day is commemorated as the moment when Kosovo, devastated by war and ethnic cleansing, began to breathe freely. More than a million Albanians expelled during the Serbian regime's offensive began to return to their homes. With the entry of NATO forces into Kosovo, a new chapter was opened on the path of state-building. On this anniversary, Pristina and other cities in Kosovo marked Liberation Day with symbolic ceremonies and demonstrations.
This day is commemorated as the moment when Kosovo, devastated by war and ethnic cleansing, began to breathe freely. More than a million Albanians expelled during the Serbian regime's offensive began to return to their homes. With the entry of NATO forces into Kosovo, a new chapter was opened on the path of state-building. On this anniversary, Pristina and other cities in Kosovo marked Liberation Day with symbolic ceremonies and demonstrations.
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Albania Holds Elections Today: Diaspora Votes for the First Time
Albania is holding its general parliamentary elections today. Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is seeking a fourth term, faces his long-time rival, Sali Berisha, an 80-year-old former prime minister. The race has taken place in a politically polarized environment, accompanied by harsh rhetoric and intense efforts to attract voters.
For the first time in the country's history, Albanians living abroad have the right to vote by mail, which gives a new dimension to this year's elections. More than 3.7 million citizens are registered to vote, choosing between over 2,000 candidates from 53 political parties and three coalitions, in one of the broadest and most fragmented contests the country has ever seen.
Polls place the Socialist Party as the favorite, while Berisha has increased the weight of his campaign by engaging American strategist Chris LaCivita, known for leading Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Voting will last until 7:00 p.m. Tonight, while preliminary results are expected to be announced on Monday, May 12.
For the first time in the country's history, Albanians living abroad have the right to vote by mail, which gives a new dimension to this year's elections. More than 3.7 million citizens are registered to vote, choosing between over 2,000 candidates from 53 political parties and three coalitions, in one of the broadest and most fragmented contests the country has ever seen.
Polls place the Socialist Party as the favorite, while Berisha has increased the weight of his campaign by engaging American strategist Chris LaCivita, known for leading Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Voting will last until 7:00 p.m. Tonight, while preliminary results are expected to be announced on Monday, May 12.
On his anniversary, one of the nation's brightest minds is honored
On the 26th anniversary of the assassination of Prof. Fehmi Agani, the Democratic League of Kosovo commemorated his great figure, appreciating him as one of the main pillars of political thought and peaceful resistance of the people of Kosovo.
The Chairman of the LDK, Lumir Abdixhiku, through a commemorative message, emphasized that the assassination of Prof. Agani on May 6, 1999 by Serbian forces constitutes one of the most serious wounds in the country's modern history, an assassination attempt on the mind, wisdom and ideal of Kosovo for freedom and independence.
"Prof. Fehmi Agani was one of the fundamental figures of the golden generation of Albanian intellectuals at the end of the 20th century. As a distinguished lecturer at the University of Pristina, he educated entire generations of students who later became leaders of the movement for freedom and independence," said Abdixhiku.
Agani was among the founders of the Democratic League of Kosovo and a close associate of the historic president Ibrahim Rugova. He also held the position of vice-president of the LDK, playing a key role in drafting the peaceful strategy of the Kosovo resistance during the 1990s.
"His assassination was an attempt to strike at the political and intellectual axis of Kosovo. Today, we remember with reverence his figure and work, while the legacy he left behind remains a guide in building a more just Kosovo and more worthy of the sacrifices of its best sons," Abdixhiku further emphasized.
Prof. Fehmi Agani remains one of the most respected figures in the recent history of Kosovo, known for his wisdom, deep thinking and dedication to the national cause.
The Chairman of the LDK, Lumir Abdixhiku, through a commemorative message, emphasized that the assassination of Prof. Agani on May 6, 1999 by Serbian forces constitutes one of the most serious wounds in the country's modern history, an assassination attempt on the mind, wisdom and ideal of Kosovo for freedom and independence.
"Prof. Fehmi Agani was one of the fundamental figures of the golden generation of Albanian intellectuals at the end of the 20th century. As a distinguished lecturer at the University of Pristina, he educated entire generations of students who later became leaders of the movement for freedom and independence," said Abdixhiku.
Agani was among the founders of the Democratic League of Kosovo and a close associate of the historic president Ibrahim Rugova. He also held the position of vice-president of the LDK, playing a key role in drafting the peaceful strategy of the Kosovo resistance during the 1990s.
"His assassination was an attempt to strike at the political and intellectual axis of Kosovo. Today, we remember with reverence his figure and work, while the legacy he left behind remains a guide in building a more just Kosovo and more worthy of the sacrifices of its best sons," Abdixhiku further emphasized.
Prof. Fehmi Agani remains one of the most respected figures in the recent history of Kosovo, known for his wisdom, deep thinking and dedication to the national cause.
Court orders detention for three suspects for crimes in Pristina and Lipjan prisons
The Basic Court in Pristina - Special Department, has ordered a pre-trial detention of one (1) month for three defendants: B. T., M. I. And N. C., who are suspected of committing the criminal offense of "War crimes against the civilian population" during the war in Kosovo in 1998-1999.
According to the court's announcement, the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo was approved after the hearing, where the preliminary procedure judge assessed that there are legal conditions for ordering the pre-trial detention.
The prosecution's well-founded suspicions relate to the inhumane treatment of Albanian prisoners in the Pristina Prison and the parallel prison in Lipjan during the war period. Defendants B. T. And M. I., in their capacity as prison guards in these institutions, are accused of having committed acts of systematic torture in collaboration with other persons, using tools such as rubber batons, metal rods, and other means of physical violence. Meanwhile, defendant N. C., also in her capacity as a prison guard in Lipjan, is suspected of having exercised physical and psychological violence against Albanian prisoners, also in collaboration with other prison officers. The court assessed that there is a real risk that, if the defendants are released, they may influence witnesses or damage material evidence, as well as escape to avoid criminal prosecution. Also, the gravity of the criminal offense has made the measure of detention considered necessary and that any other measure would be insufficient to guarantee the fair development of the judicial procedure.
Parties dissatisfied with the decision have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal, through the Basic Court in Pristina.
According to the court's announcement, the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo was approved after the hearing, where the preliminary procedure judge assessed that there are legal conditions for ordering the pre-trial detention.
The prosecution's well-founded suspicions relate to the inhumane treatment of Albanian prisoners in the Pristina Prison and the parallel prison in Lipjan during the war period. Defendants B. T. And M. I., in their capacity as prison guards in these institutions, are accused of having committed acts of systematic torture in collaboration with other persons, using tools such as rubber batons, metal rods, and other means of physical violence. Meanwhile, defendant N. C., also in her capacity as a prison guard in Lipjan, is suspected of having exercised physical and psychological violence against Albanian prisoners, also in collaboration with other prison officers. The court assessed that there is a real risk that, if the defendants are released, they may influence witnesses or damage material evidence, as well as escape to avoid criminal prosecution. Also, the gravity of the criminal offense has made the measure of detention considered necessary and that any other measure would be insufficient to guarantee the fair development of the judicial procedure.
Parties dissatisfied with the decision have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal, through the Basic Court in Pristina.