Barilevë, 18 May 2025
The acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, as well as other colleagues from the Government and Assembly of Kosovo, paid homage to Xhevdet Leci, on the 26th anniversary of his heroic fall.
On this anniversary, Prime Minister Kurti praised the figure and contribution of Xhevdet Leci, especially during the 1990s, when he worked to protect the rights of Albanians.
“During the 1990s, Xhevdet Leci worked day and night to protect the rights of Albanians, to protect human rights. He was both a patriot and a humanist, and at the same time he expanded, deepened, and elevated the resistance of our people, which was initially peaceful and unarmed, and then an armed liberation uprising led by the KLA,” said the Prime Minister.
He emphasized that through the brightest figures of our history, such as Xhevdet Leci, who are the best example and model, young people should learn and follow their path, so that history becomes part of our collective consciousness.
Xhevdet Leci, an activist for the national cause, fell heroically on May 18, 1999 in the defense of the displaced population in Barileva, facing the Serbian police.
Full speech by Prime Minister Kurti:
We are here together with colleagues from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Assembly of Kosovo, with fellow activists, with KLA fighters to honor Xhevdet Leci, his figure, his work, his activity and his heroic fall 26 years ago in the face of the aggressor, conqueror, occupier and enemy — Serbia.
During the 1990s, Xhevdet Leci worked day and night to protect the rights of Albanians, to protect human rights, he was both a patriot and a humanist and at the same time he expanded, deepened, and elevated the resistance of our people, which was initially peaceful and unarmed, and later also an armed liberation uprising led by the KLA.
People like Xhevdet Leci are role models, they are models that we should follow today, and about whom the youth should learn so that history becomes part of our collective consciousness through its brightest figures, but also through the meaning and value that freedom has for every human being, and especially for us Albanians, who have suffered its absence for so long.
Glory to Xhevdet Leci and all the fallen and martyrs of the Albanian nation!
Last modified: May 19, 2025