Shiroka Pulja decides to return amended Law on Specialist Chambers to Assembly for reconsideration

Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pulja has decided to return the amended Law on the Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office to the Kosovo Assembly for reconsideration.

According to a statement issued by the Kosovo Presidency, President Shiroka Pulja today accepted a formal proposal from the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, which sponsored the law, to give the Assembly an opportunity to reconsider it, particularly the provisions concerning the jurisdiction and mandate of the Specialist Chambers, as well as the full protection of the constitutional rights of persons standing trial before the Chambers.

“In explaining her decision, President Shiroka Pulja emphasized the sacrifice, commitment and contribution of the Kosovo Liberation Army and its leaders in the struggle for Kosovo’s freedom and independence. She also recalled her support for the Declaration of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo of September 28, 2026, concerning the judgment of the Specialist Chambers in The Hague against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi,” the statement said.

Shiroka Pulja, it added, reiterated her opposition to any attempt to distort the historical truth about Kosovo, “to call into question the liberating character of the war or to equate those who fought for freedom and survival with the regime that oppressed them.”

“In explaining her decision, the President announced that she had conducted and would continue consultations with representatives of relevant state institutions and stakeholders, with the aim of coordinating interinstitutional and diplomatic action to document, protect and reaffirm the historical truth about Kosovo’s liberation war and the role of the KLA, as well as to ensure the best possible protection of the rights and interests of its leaders standing trial before the Specialist Chambers,” the Kosovo Presidency said.

The proposed amendments to the Law on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers were adopted at second reading on October 6 with 88 votes in favor. Later at the same session, lawmakers elected Justina Shiroka Pulja as the new President of Kosovo.

Earlier today, the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party of Kosovo formally requested that the Kosovo President return the proposed amendments to the Law on the Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office to the Assembly for reconsideration.