Klina, 29 January 2026
Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, paid homage today at the graves of the fallen heroes, Vesel Avdyli, Ilir Merturi and Naim Gashi, on the 27th anniversary of their killing. After paying homage, the Prime Minister attended the ceremony for the unveiling of the memorial plaque dedicated to the fallen hero, Ilir Merturi, at the City Park of Klina.
“The medallion of remembrance that we have just unveiled today for Ilir Merturi in this park, which also bears his name, is a sign of the state’s respect for his sacrifice and of our commitment to historical truth. It is a reminder that calls on us every day to keep Kosovo as they wanted it: free, developed and advanced, worthy of their sacrifice. This plaque is a legacy for the generations to come, to understand that freedom has been won at the cost of great human suffering and irreplaceable human losses, and that preserving and defending it requires responsibility and dedication, both from state institutions and from society as a whole,” the Prime Minister said in his remarks.
At the end of January 1999, Serbia’s armed forces killed 30 Albanians in Rogove e Hasit, Goden and Bishtazhin of Gjakova. 21 fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army fell while defending the civilian population, while nine civilians were executed mercilessly. Glory to the fallen heroes Merturi, Gashi and Avdyli, and to all fallen heroes of all eras of the Albanian nation. Honour to all martyrs of freedom!
Prime Minister’s full speech:
Dear family members of the fallen heroes and martyrs,
Dear war veterans and war invalids,
Honourable Mayor of the Municipality of Klina, Mr Zenun Elezaj
Honourable Chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Mr Ramush Haradinaj,
Honourable Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, General Enver Cakiqi,
Honourable Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Taulant Kelmendi,
Dear representatives and heads of state and local institutions
Dear members of the armed forces, officers and soldiers, and Kosovo Police,
Honourable Baca Lile, parent of Muje Krasniqi – Commander Kapuci,
Dear religious clerical representatives, Mulla Xhevat,
Dear citizens of Klina,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear sisters and brothers,
In this place that bears his name, today we honour the history of sacrifice for freedom, as we commemorate Ilir Merturi.
In his patriotic family, Ilir had learned that the homeland is also a responsibility. Trained as a reserve officer, he did not see this knowledge as a personal privilege, but as a national obligation to place himself at the service of the struggle for freedom.
In the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army, in addition to being a fighter with a weapon in hand, Ilir was also a helping hand everywhere. He was the humanist brave man who cared for the wounded, securing medicines and saving lives, in days when death was closer than hope.
In an unequal confrontation, while defending the civilian population, Ilir, together with 20 comrades, fell heroically.
At the end of January 1999, Serbia’s armed forces killed 30 Albanians in Rogove e Hasit, Goden and Bishtazhin of Gjakova. 21 fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army fell while defending the civilian population, while nine civilians were executed mercilessly.
Dear attendees,
The history of sacrifice for the Republic of Kosovo and the freedom of our people extends across generations. Today, on this day of remembrance for the fallen heroes Merturi, Avdyli and Gashi, I am coming from Mitrovica, where on 29 January 2001, in the north of the Ibar there, that is, 25 years ago, Gazmend Brahimi was killed, a minor only 15 years old, and who this year would have become a 40-year-old man. His memory reminds us that the road towards full liberation and lasting peace has been long and painful, and is extremely valuable for all of us together to preserve.
Ilir and Gazmend belong to different generations, different time contexts, but both testify that the history of our people is a history of resistance and uninterrupted sacrifice.
Dear sisters and brothers,
The medallion of remembrance that we have just unveiled today for Ilir Merturi in this park, which also bears his name, is a sign of the state’s respect for his sacrifice and of our commitment to historical truth.
It is a reminder that calls on us every day to keep Kosovo as they wanted it: free, developed and advanced, worthy of their sacrifice. This plaque is a legacy for the generations to come, to understand that freedom has been won at the cost of great human suffering and irreplaceable human losses, and that preserving and defending it requires responsibility and dedication, both from state institutions and from society as a whole.
Today we bow in respect before all those who gave their lives for freedom, and we reaffirm our commitment to civic dignity, to social justice and to secure peace in the Republic of Kosovo.
Glory to the fallen heroes Merturi, Gashi and Avdyli, and to all fallen heroes of all eras of the Albanian nation. Honour to all martyrs of freedom!
Thank you.
