Former President Hashim Thaçi did not attend the funeral of his father, Haxhiu, who was given his final farewell on Tuesday in Burojë, Skenderaj.
The former president's absence prompted strong reactions in Pristina, calling the refusal to grant permission by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague a shame.
Initially, there were contradictory statements about whether there was a request from Thaçi's lawyer, but they were immediately clarified.
"Mr. Thaçi made a request on Monday before 2:00 PM to attend Tuesday's funeral. I will have no further comment at this time," said Thaçi's lawyer, Luka Misetic.
The Specialist Chambers, without mentioning any decision, said that they treat requests of this nature with priority, but there are also logistical reasons that they are not implemented in a timely manner.
“It is important to note that while such visits, when ordered by judges, are organised as quickly as possible, this can take some time, requiring close coordination with a number of actors and complex logistical arrangements, including flights and security,” was the response from the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
The Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, warned that she would seek clarification from the Specialist Chambers regarding Thaçi's absence from the funeral.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Kosovo described the former prime minister's absence from the funeral ceremony as unacceptable and unfair.
"It is a loss that is made even more severe especially due to the absence of President Thaçi who was not allowed to attend his father's funeral. At least at the end of his uncle Haxhi's life he had the opportunity to see him once more, but I believe that it is completely unfair and unacceptable, and unreasonable, the absence of President Thaçi today at his father's funeral," said PDK leader Memli Krasniqi.
There were also reactions from the Liberation Army War Veterans Organization and Thaçi's former comrades-in-arms.
"This court is not only racist but also selective, but recently it is showing its face and showing its black face to the investors who finance that court," said Nasim Haradinaj from "OVL-UCK".
Thaçi stayed in Kosovo on Thursday, March 13, where he had a visit for about 3 hours at the University Clinical Center where his father was being treated in what were the last days of his life. (A2 Televizion)
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