Qirez, Likoshan, 28 February, 2023
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the massacre of Qirezi and Likoshan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with the Speaker of the Assembly, Glauk Konjufc and the Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, paid tribute to the 24 Albanians killed by the Serbian forces on February 28, 1998.
Remembering this day, Prime Minister Kurti said that this revenge against defenseless and unarmed civilians came because the Kosovo Liberation Army was gaining ground and had more and more success in confronting the Serbian police forces.
At the same time, this massacre, as he pointed out, also marks the first massacre of the last war in Kosovo when it became clear that the liberation journey of our people is inevitable and irreversible.
“On this occasion, as prime minister, as a citizen, as an Albanian, I share the pain and sorrow with the family members. We have a lot of longing for those who are not among us, but at the same time we feel pride for their resistance and we feel the responsibility for justice for them”, said Prime Minister Kurti.
In these tributes, Prime Minister Kurti was accompanied by many colleagues and activists of the Vetëvendosje center in Drenas and Skenderaj, deputy ministers and members of the Assembly.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete statement:
Together with the Speaker of the Assembly, Glauku, and the Minister of Justice, Albulena, and many colleagues and activists, deputy ministers and MPs, and the friends of the Vetëvendosje center in both Drenas and Skenderaj, we came to pay homage, to pay respect to the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the massacre of Qirezi and Likoshan, in which case 24 Albanians, of which 20 were defenseless, unarmed civilians, were killed 25 years ago, that is, on February 28, 1998.
Revenge against defenseless and unarmed civilians came because the Kosovo Liberation Army was gaining momentum and had more and more success in confronting the Serbian police forces and at the same time this massacre marks the first massacre of the last war in Kosovo when it became clear that the liberation journey of our people is inevitable and irreversible.
A week after this massacre, we also have the Epic of the KLA in Prekaz, which we also mark the 25th anniversary of in a few days.
On this occasion, as prime minister, as a citizen, as an Albanian, I share the pain and sorrow with the family members. We long for those who are no longer among us, but at the same time we feel proud of their endurance and feel the responsibility for justice for them.
Glory to all martyrs and martyrs of the nation!
Last modified: March 7, 2023