Hundreds Gather to Mourn Faton Hajrizi in Donja Klina Amid Controversy

Hundreds Gather to Mourn Faton Hajrizi Sahrana Hajrizi
FOTO: Gazeta Express

Faton Hajrizi, a controversial figure in Kosovo, was laid to rest today in his hometown of Donja Klina, near Srbica. The funeral drew hundreds of mourners, with attendees reportedly chanting „Glory to Faton“ and displaying symbols of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and Albania, as reported by several Pristina-based media outlets.

Along the route leading to the village from the direction of Srbica, numerous flags bearing the symbols of Albania and the KLA were prominently displayed. Photos published by local media showed these flags waving in the wind.

Pristina-based Gazeta Express reported that some attendees wore T-shirts emblazoned with KLA motifs. These shirts bore the slogan „Freedom Has a Name,“ which had previously been featured on billboards across Kosovo in support of former KLA leaders currently facing war crime charges in The Hague. Additionally, some mourners wore T-shirts with images of Faton Hajrizi himself.

These displays of support occurred despite a call for restraint from Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who had urged the public „not to glorify Hajrizi or succumb to the euphoria of heroism and romanticization“, Gazeta Express reported.

During the funeral, members of Hajrizi’s family addressed the crowd, and their speeches were met with chants of „Glory to Faton“ and „KLA,“ as reported by Kallxo.

Security expert Bedri Elezi warned earlier this week that Serbia could use Hajrizi’s funeral to damage Kosovo’s image internationally if he were to be buried with honors. Previously Elezi pointed out that Hajrizi was officially recognized as a „KLA veteran“ despite being only 15 years old at the time of the war, questioning the legitimacy of his veteran status.

Meanwhile, PDK (Democratic Party of Kosovo) MP Ganimeta Musliu expressed her condolences on Facebook today, stating that Hajrizi’s case would remain a „permanent stain on Kosovo’s justice system.“

„Rest in peace, Faton. Your life will remain a permanent stain on our justice system and our society, which turns a blind eye to injustice. Unable to be physically close to the Hajrizi family today, I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends. May God give you the strength to face this tragedy,“ Musliu wrote.

From Fugitive to Cop Killer to Fatal End

Faton Hajrizi’s body arrived in Kosovo on Friday, following confirmation from Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Serbia had granted permission for its transport. The body was retrieved by Hajrizi’s family at the Merdare border crossing before being handed over to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, where an autopsy was conducted.

Hajrizi was shot dead on June 19 in Loznica after fatally shooting one Serbian police officer and wounding another. He fled the scene but was later shot and killed by Serbian police following a brief manhunt.

Hajrizi, who had a lengthy criminal history—including the murder of a Russian soldier, robbery, and the wounding of police officers—had escaped from Kosovo’s Smrekovnica prison earlier this year. It was his ninth escape from custody. His latest escape initially captured public attention in Kosovo due to his notoriety, having given numerous interviews to Kosovo media over the years. However, his name became widely known across Serbia and the region after the killing of the police officer near Loznica.


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