Pasic: Establishment of a Ministry for KLA Values a message that Kosovo will not accept a convicting verdict in The Hague

Lawyer and former military prosecutor Dragan Pasic believes that the appointment of Andin Hoti to head the newly formed Ministry of Labor, Family, and KLA Values sends a message to the wider region, as well as to the public in Kosovo, that Pristina will not accept a convicting verdict for former KLA leaders who are on trial in The Hague.

Andin Hoti has headed the Commission on Missing Persons since 2021, and Pasic states that Kurti’s decision to appoint him minister is primarily political.

“I believe that the newly formed ministry is primarily a message to the population of the so-called Republic of Kosovo, but also to the wider region. It is a political decision showing how the current government represents continuity in providing support to the so-called KLA, but also that a possible verdict in this criminal case, that is a finding of guilt for the accused, should not be perceived by the people of Kosovo and war veterans as an attack on their role, but should be understood as individual responsibility. The second message is to exert influence on the Specialist Chambers that Kosovo stands behind the role and significance of the so-called KLA, whose leaders are on trial, and that it will not accept a convicting verdict,” Pasic told Kosovo Online.

A large gathering was recently organized in Pristina in support of KLA leaders who are charged with joint criminal enterprise, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

“If they are found guilty and after the proceedings are concluded, the international community will demand that their, let us say, achievements in the liberation of Kosovo and Metohija not be glorified. That is an international standard, and I do not expect Kosovo to be an exception in its application,” Pasic said.