Pristina, 9 May 2025
The acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, together with colleagues, acting ministers and members of Parliament, paid homage today to the graves of national heroes Ilir Konushevci and Dr. Hazir Malaj in commemoration of the 27th anniversary of their murder while delivering weapons for the Kosovo Liberation Army.
“Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi, was a worthy successor to Zahir Pajaziti and was the soul of the Kosovo Liberation Army, since he was in charge of logistics and supply at a difficult time when the Kosovo Liberation Army was facing an army that was many times better equipped with weapons and ammunition, but with the steely will of indomitable fighters, like the work of Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi, even what was unimaginable became possible.” said Prime Minister Kurti.
He continued, saying that the Kosovo Liberation Army not only participated in battles, but it also won there, while Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi started his activity much earlier, precisely on May 13, 1992, when the secret political organization Shqiponjat was formed and since that day he never stopped organizing and increasing the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
In his speech, the Prime Minister emphasized that without people like Ilir we would not have been able to have the liberation war, without which we would not have the freedom and state we enjoy today.
“Therefore, our homages that we pay to the graves of the fallen, the martyrs during this spring and especially today to Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi and Dr. Hazir Malaj, express our deep gratitude, endless thanks for their work, contribution, role and sacrifice, but, at the same time, also express our civic, national, social and institutional commitment to continue their path, which today has the meaning of an independent, democratic republic, with development and progress that leaves no one behind and especially with the supply of our army, with the strengthening of the Kosovo Security Force, so that we have an army that serves the homeland, serves both the republic and the people of Kosovo.’’ said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister concluded his speech by saying that the Kosovo Army today is better equipped, greater than ever before
“Therefore, we also say with joy that our pride for Ilir Konushevci and Hazir Malaj is at the same time also a new reality, because Kosovo, especially around the border with Serbia, has more forces than ever before, and in this way the generation of youth and children today and those who will come after us will be able to work, study and sleep peacefully, so that nothing similar to Serbia’s aggression in the past will ever be repeated.”
The complete pronunciation of Prime Minister Kurti:
Together with the Government and Assembly of the Republic, with colleagues, ministers in office, deputies who took the oath in the ninth legislature and first of all and above all with the Konushevci and Malaj families, we are here at the graves of our heroes, Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi , and Dr. Hazir Malaj, who died heroically 27 years ago, bringing weapons for the Kosovo Liberation Army.
Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi, was a worthy successor of Zahir Pajaziti and was the soul of the Kosovo Liberation Army, since he was in charge of logistics and supply in a difficult time when the Kosovo Liberation Army was facing an army that was many times more equipped with weapons and ammunition, but with the steely will of indomitable fighters, like the work of Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi, even what was unimaginable became possible.
The Kosovo Liberation Army not only participated in battles, but it also won there.
Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi started his activity much earlier, precisely on May 13, 1992, when the secret political organization Shqiponjat was formed, and from that day on, he never stopped organizing and increasing the ranks of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
When we remember the martyrs of the nation, our heroes, who worked so hard in the 90s so that we could fight properly in the 98-99 years, we must undoubtedly remember the fact that we had liberation fighters even before the liberation war.
Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi was like that. Without people like Ilir, we would not have been able to have the liberation war, without which we would not have the freedom and state that we enjoy today.
Therefore, our homages that we pay to the graves of the fallen, of the martyrs during this spring and in particular today to Ilir Konushevci – Mërgimi and Dr. Hazir Malaj, express our deep gratitude, endless thanks for their work, contribution, role and sacrifice, but, at the same time, express our civic, national, social and institutional commitment to continue their path, which today means an independent, democratic republic, with development and progress that leaves no one behind and especially with the supply of our army, with the strengthening of the Kosovo Security Force, so that we have an army that serves the homeland, serves the republic and the people of Kosovo.
The Kosovo Army today is better equipped, larger than ever before.
Therefore, we say with joy that our pride for Ilir Konushevci and Hazir Mala is at the same time a new reality, because Kosovo everywhere, especially around the border with Serbia, has more strength than ever before and in this way the generation of youth and children today and those who will come after us will be able to work, study and sleep peacefully, so that nothing that could resemble Serbia’s aggression in the past will ever be repeated.
Glory to Ilir Konushevci – Exile, Dr. Hazir Malaj and all the fallen and martyrs of the Albanian nation!
Last modified: May 12, 2025