Key facts
- Protesters clashed with police in Pristina, Kosovo, on Monday.
- Demonstrators called for legislation to limit the powers of a Kosovo war crimes court in The Hague.
- The court recently sentenced former President Hashim Thaci to 25 years in prison for war crimes.
- At least 17 people were injured, including six police officers.
- Lawmakers approved the first reading of amendments to the war crimes court law.
- The proposed amendments would cap prison sentences at 15 years and allow sentences to be served in Kosovo.
Protesters clashed with police outside Kosovo's government and parliament buildings on Monday, demanding lawmakers pass legislation to limit the powers of a war crimes court in The Hague. The demonstration occurred weeks after the court sentenced former President Hashim Thaci and three others to a combined 81 years in prison for war crimes.
Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse demonstrators who threw firecrackers and stones. At least 17 people were injured, including six police officers, and three protesters were detained. Earlier, lawmakers approved the first reading of amendments to the law that established the court. Demonstrators later blocked parliament, demanding a second vote.
The amendments would cap prison sentences at 15 years, allow appeals to Kosovo's Supreme Court, permit sentences to be served in Kosovo, and enable the president to grant amnesty. Prime Minister Albin Kurti expressed skepticism, calling the moves "rushed and insufficiently analysed." Despite backing the first vote, Kurti's party declined to support the second vote on the amendments presented by Thaci's former party, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK).
Kosovo established the Specialist Chambers in The Hague in 2015 under international pressure to prosecute former ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters for alleged crimes during Kosovo's 1998-99 war with Serbia. Thaci was found guilty of war crimes including murder, torture, and illegal detention.