Kosovo protesters rally in support of ex-president ahead of war crimes trial verdict

Thousands of people have rallied in Kosovo in support of a former president and three other ex-fighters ahead of their verdicts next week at a Netherlands-based courtByZANA CIMILI Associated PressSeptember 12, 2026, 10:02 AMPRISTINA, Kosovo -- Thousands of people rallied in Pristina on Saturday in support of Kosovo's former President Hashim Thaci and three other ex-fighters ahead of their verdicts next week in a war crimes trial.Thaci and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commanders are facing alleged war crimes charges connected to the 1998-1999 separatist war from Serbia.The protesters filled a central square in the capital, many carrying red and black Albanian flags. Portraits of the four former KLA fighters have been plastered in the city along with a huge digital clock counting down the time when the court in The Hague will deliver its verdicts on Wednesday. A huge banner read: “In the name of the people, declare them innocent.”Fadil Gashi traveled to Pristina on a bus from the southeast town of Gjilan. He said that “this is the least we can do, come here today for them.”Prosecutors have asked for a maximum 45-year prison sentence for Thaci and the other defendan...