Prishtina, 9 May 2026
Today, on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the fall of the national heroes Ilir Konushevci and Hazir Malaj, the Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, paid tribute at the martyrs’ cemetery in Prishtina.
On this occasion, Acting Prime Minister Kurti said that Ilir Konushevci and Dr. Hazir Malaj were never separated from one another; they shared the same ideal, worked together, and remained committed to the point of sacrifice for the liberation of Kosovo, the freedom of the people, and the independent and sovereign Republic that we enjoy today.
“Ilir Konushevci, as the spirit of logistics, supply, and the organization of the liberation war, worked long before the war so that we could fight and liberate ourselves. Therefore, today when we see the Kosovo Security Force with its modern and abundant weaponry and ammunition, and with its ranks steadily increasing, we feel that we are repaying a small part of the great debt we owe to all the martyrs of the nation, to all the victims of the war, and especially to people such as Ilir Konushevci and Dr. Hazir Malaj, who worked and contributed so much so that we could fight and liberate ourselves,” said Acting Prime Minister Kurti.
Full Speech by Acting Prime Minister Kurti:
One from Kosovo and the other from Albania, inseparable in liberation and unification, Ilir Konushevci and Dr. Hazir Malaj were never separated from one another. They shared the same ideal, worked together, and were committed to the point of sacrifice for the liberation of Kosovo, the freedom of the people, and the independent and sovereign Republic that we enjoy today.
Ilir Konushevci, as the spirit of logistics, supply, and the organization of the liberation war, worked long before the war so that we could fight and liberate ourselves. Therefore, today when we see the Kosovo Security Force with its modern and abundant weaponry and ammunition, and with its ranks steadily increasing, we feel that we are repaying a small part of the great debt we owe to all the martyrs of the nation, to all the victims of the last war, and especially to people such as Ilir Konushevci and Dr. Hazir Malaj, who worked and contributed so much so that we could fight and liberate ourselves.
Ilir Konushevci carried a great burden after the killing of Commander Zahir Pajaziti, because at a time when we were suffering heavy losses in our ranks, he carried a double burden. Therefore, his sacrifice and the relentless struggle he waged should be taught to younger generations as an example of how one should love the homeland and how we should become role models for those who come after us.
Glory to Commander Ilir Konushevci and Dr. Hazir Malaj, as well as to all the martyrs and victims of the Albanian nation throughout all stages of the progress of the country and the nation as a whole!
