Police spokesman Baki Kelani said eight policemen, two citizens and two journalists were injured and 24 protesters were detained, adding two police cars and many other public and private properties were damaged. Security forces used tear gas to push back protesters.
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Pristina, Kosovo: Thousands of anti-government demonstrators took to the streets in Kosovo’s capital Saturday, with police firing tear gas as some protesters threw Molotov cocktails and set fire to a government building. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters, who rallying against a deal brokered by the European Union give Kosovo’s ethnic Serb minority greater local powers and the possibility of financing from Belgrade.
The rally was organized by opposition parties in front of the National Theatre in a bid to convince the government to scrap the August 25 agreement, which allows Serbia to defend the rights of ethnic Serbs through associations in Kosovar municipalities.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, an act that Serbia still rejects.
“We will not be governed by those who trade our sovereignty”. Kosovo’s opposition has called for a referendum or fresh elections if the EU-mediated deal stays in place.
The opposition also has opposed a border demarcation with neighboring Montenegro.
Demonstrators in Kosovo fought running battles with police and set fire to the government’s headquarters on Saturday (Sunday NZ Time) as anger simmers in the young Balkan country over an accord with former ruler, Serbia.
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Commenting on the Saturday violence, Kosovo president Atifete Jahjaga said that setting fire to official institutions was “completely unacceptable”.
