SYLA: Croatia's protest for former KLA leaders we expect as big as others
Gazmend Syla, Deputy Chairman of the Organization of Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK), expressed expectations that the upcoming protest in Croatia would be as large as previous demonstrations held in defense of former UÇK leaders currently on trial in The Hague. These protests aim to highlight concerns over perceived injustice in the trial process. Syla emphasized that while they do not claim innocence for the accused, they strongly oppose any unfairness in the proceedings. Previous protests were organized in Skopje, Pristina, The Hague, Tirana, and Strasbourg. The four former UÇK leaders—Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi—are under investigation by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office since November 2020 but have declared their innocence. Additionally, Syla mentioned that Dritan Goxhaj does not appear in the organization's database as a UÇK fighter, despite claims by Goxhaj himself and others.
The recent protests organized by the Organization of Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVL-UÇK) have once again drawn significant attention, particularly with the upcoming demonstration in Croatia aimed at supporting the former leaders of the UÇK currently on trial in The Hague. These protests, which have become a recurring feature in the movement's efforts to advocate for justice, continue to reflect both the deep-seated grievances of the community and the broader political tensions surrounding the legacy of the Kosovo War.
According to Gazmend Syla, the deputy head of the OVL-UÇK, the upcoming protest in Croatia is anticipated to be just as large and impactful as previous demonstrations held in cities such as Skopje, Pristina, Tirana, and Strasbourg. Syla emphasized during an interview on the KTV show "60 Minuta" that the organization expects not only Albanians but also individuals from neighboring countries to join the gathering. This sentiment underscores the growing international interest in the case of the former UÇK leadership, who are being tried under charges related to war crimes and other alleged offenses.
The planned protest, scheduled for September 5, has been meticulously organized over several weeks, with detailed preparations made to ensure its effectiveness. Syla noted that while there are many Albanians present in Croatia, the organizers are confident that additional participants will come from nearby regions and even from abroad. He pointed out that similar support has been observed in past protests, including contributions from individuals based in the United States. Syla believes these collective actions serve to reinforce the message that the community is against injustice and seeks transparency in the judicial process.
A critical aspect of the ongoing campaign is the concern over the fairness of the legal proceedings. Syla expressed fears regarding potential injustices within the court system, emphasizing that the organization has consistently advocated for due process without ever making direct accusations about the final verdict. Instead, they have focused on highlighting perceived procedural flaws and the need for impartiality throughout the trial. This approach reflects a strategic effort to maintain legitimacy while still pushing for accountability.
In addition to the main focus on the legal trials, the issue of recognition of certain individuals' roles in the conflict has emerged as another point of contention. Recently, Dritan Goxhaj, known as a former member of the UÇK, faced allegations from the government of Albania, specifically from Prime Minister Edi Rama, denying his participation in the armed struggle. However, Syla clarified that Goxhaj does not appear in the database of the OVL-UÇK as a verified participant in any military unit or operation during the conflict. This discrepancy highlights the complexities surrounding the historical narratives and the challenges of verifying claims about involvement in the conflict.
As the date of the Croatian protest approaches, the situation remains dynamic, with continued discussions among activists and supporters about how best to convey their demands. The upcoming demonstration represents not only a call for justice for the accused former leaders but also a reaffirmation of the community’s commitment to preserving the memory of the conflict and ensuring that the lessons learned are not forgotten. With the international community increasingly engaged in these issues, the outcome of this protest could have far-reaching implications for the future of the region.
How each side covered it
The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.
left
center
right
★
How each side covered it
Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and your personalized For You feed.
The article reports that Gazmend Syla, head of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK) Veterans' Organization, states that Dritan Goxhaj does not appear in their database as a participant in the UÇK conflict. Despite Goxhaj claiming during an interview on KTV that he was part of the UÇK, he has faced accusations, including from Prime Minister Edi Rama, that he was not involved. These allegations arose after Goxhaj read five demands from protesters, including Rama’s resignation. Syla clarified that Goxhaj is not listed in the organization’s records as having participated in any brigade, battalion, or operational zone during the war. The protests in southern Albania were demanding Rama’s resignation and limiting his mandate to two terms.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information from both sides: Goxhaj claims involvement with the UÇK, while Syla and Rama dispute this. There is no clear ideological leaning in the framing of the story, which focuses on factual disputes rather than promoting a particular political agenda. The tone remains even,
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): This article presents statements from Gazmend Syla regarding Dritan Goxhaj not being listed in OVL-UÇK databases. It accurately reports his denial of involvement and the accusations from Edi Rama. The information is presented neutrally, citing both sides without overt bias. Cross-source consensus al
Koha.netIndependentLeftFactual 90Objective 855 days ago
Gazmend Syla, Deputy Chairman of the Organization of Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK), expressed expectations that the upcoming protest in Croatia would be as large as previous demonstrations held in defense of former UÇK leaders currently on trial in The Hague. These protests aim to highlight concerns over perceived injustice in the trial process. Syla emphasized that while they do not claim innocence for the accused, they strongly oppose any unfairness in the proceedings. Previous protests were organized in Skopje, Pristina, The Hague, Tirana, and Strasbourg. The four former UÇK leaders—Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi—are under investigation by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office since November 2020 but have declared their innocence. Additionally, Syla mentioned that Dritan Goxhaj does not appear in the organization's database as a UÇK fighter, despite claims by Goxhaj himself and others.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the protests as a response to perceived injustice in the trial of former UÇK leaders, emphasizing opposition to unfairness rather than directly addressing legal arguments. It highlights the organizers' stance against bias in the judicial process, which aligns with a left-leaning,抗
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): The article discusses expectations for a large protest in Croatia supporting former UÇK leaders. It quotes Syla and outlines plans for the demonstration without taking sides. Information is presented clearly and objectively, focusing on organizational details and goals. Cross-source consensus suppor
Koha.netIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 703 days ago
On July 2, 2026, citizens in Tirana continued their protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama and his government, gathering before the Parliament where a plenary session was scheduled to begin around 10:00 AM. Protesters threw eggs at deputies, leading to confrontations with police, resulting in eight people being detained and three officers injured and hospitalized. Security measures were heightened around the Parliament, including metal barriers, cordons, a military armored vehicle, and a water cannon typically used to disperse crowds. Protesters attempted to breach the police line, leading to physical clashes and the use of tear gas by law enforcement. The parliamentary group of the Democratic Party announced they would not attend the session, citing the presence of hundreds of police officers aimed at silencing protesters. Similar incidents occurred on Monday, with physical confrontations and pyrotechnic devices reported.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced account of the protest actions, detailing both the protesters' activities and the police response without overtly favoring either side. It includes information about the security measures taken by authorities and the reactions of the opposition party, presenting the事件
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 70): The article reports on protests in Tirana against Edi Rama, including incidents involving protesters throwing stones at MPs and police using tear gas. It provides details on security measures and mentions political responses like the Democratic Party's refusal to attend a session. While factual base
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.
XK
