Tense protest in Pristina, police react

Kosovo Police have announced that the protest held on Monday around the buildings of the Government and the Parliament of Kosovo continued into the evening hours, causing the situation to grow tense.

According to the Police, a group of protesters repeatedly threw various objects, pyrotechnics and fireworks towards the state buildings. The Police say the protesters also tried to obstruct the exit of deputies and personalities from the parliament building, while some of them were forced to go back inside.

The Police announced that during the protest they repeatedly called on participants to protest calmly, not to damage public property and not to obstruct the free movement of citizens.

“While the protest continued to be held near the state buildings, a certain group of people at the protest, in a sign of dissatisfaction over the failure to pass the law on the Specialist Chambers, repeatedly threw various objects, pyrotechnics and fireworks towards the state buildings,” the Police announcement said.

According to the police authorities, because of the continuous throwing of pyrotechnics, the obstruction of traffic and the risk of damage to state buildings, police officers were forced to take measures to bring the situation under control.

The Police used tear gas, saying this was done to enable the exit of deputies and other persons from parliament and to restore public order.

The situation also escalated with the burning of several waste containers and the lighting of fires in the streets. According to the Police, these actions caused material damage.

However, the Police announced that, up to the moment the announcement was published, no serious injury to persons had been reported.

Kosovo Police stressed that they recognise citizens’ right to protest and to express dissatisfaction in a peaceful and democratic manner, while appealing to the protesters to respect the law, not to damage public property and not to obstruct freedom of movement.

According to the Police, while the protest continues, police units will remain on the ground to guarantee public order and safety, protect citizens and state buildings, and ensure the smooth running of the protest, as Telegrafi reports.