Written by: Festim Rizanaj
It has been claimed in a Facebook post that the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Bedri Hamza, has called for a protest against Kosovo's independence on February 17th.
allegation was published by the account "Rooster Flower” on January 23. The post contains only a photo of Hamza from a television appearance and the caption: "The PDK chairman is surprised: He calls for protests against Kosovo's independence on February 17th."
Why is this content being addressed?
The claim of "Lule Gjeli" is not true. However, the publication has aroused interest among the audience. As of the moment of treatment, it has over 470 comments, among which it is noticeable that there are commentators who have perceived the content as obvious.
The facts:
Hamza announced in a Facebook post on January 22 that he would join the protest with the motto "JUSTICE, NOT POLITICS!", organized by the "Freedom Has a Name" platform on February 17 in Pristina. This protest, according to the organizers, is a call for justice in the trial of the leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) at the Special Court in The Hague. Some of the defendants have been in the leadership of the PDK in the past.
Post Hamza's:
Justice, not politics!
Justice for those who gave everything for Kosovo, who declared independence and built the state, is justice for all of us.
On February 17, at 14:00 PM, we join the citizens of Kosovo at "Skënderbeu" Square in Pristina.
It is time for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi and all freedom fighters to return home.
Meanwhile "Freedom has a Name"on January 21st, he held a press conference, where he announced the organization of the peaceful protest. Organizers said that February 17th was not chosen by chance, but deliberately on Independence Day to make the protest more symbolic.
Neither Hamza nor "Freedom Has a Name", as can be seen in their calls on social media, have announced a protest against Independence.
Due to the image, which allegedly shows Hamza in a television appearance, hibrid.info also searched with the words "Hamza calls for protest against Independence". Findings in "Google" did not result in a similar claim to that of "Lule Gjeli".
Even real media reports about the protest announced for February 17, have not mentioned anything as claimed in the publication of "Lule Gjeli" (see here)
The publication has prompted comments, which in some cases can be understood as having perceived the claim as true. It can also be concluded from them that it has also encouraged divisive language among commentators.
Analyze
The claim by the "Lule Gjeli" Facebook account that PDK chairman Bedri Hamza called for a protest against Kosovo's independence on February 17 is false.
He has invited people to participate in the "Justice, not politics!" protest, in support of former KLA leaders in The Hague.
Neither Hamza nor the organizers have called a protest against Independence.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info assesses this claim as "Disinformation".
rationale
"Disinformation" is defined as information content that contains a "mix" of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful attributes, and that is created and/or distributed with the deliberate intention of causing harm. The motive behind the producers/distributors of disinformation content lies in achieving a political, financial, psychological or social goal.