Police clarify last night’s incidents during protest near EULEX base

A group of protesters threw hard objects and pyrotechnic devices toward the EULEX base on the Pristina–Fushë Kosovë road late on Wednesday, the Kosovo Police said.

Law enforcement authorities said that at around 10:30 p.m., some of the protesters gathered near the government building headed toward the EULEX base, located near the green market.

Upon reaching the entrance to the facility, the protesters blocked traffic on the road and began throwing various items, hard objects, and pyrotechnic devices. The details were provided in a police statement issued after midnight.

The use of pyrotechnic devices caused a small fire in part of the facility, which was immediately extinguished.

Police said their officers remained in constant communication with the protesters, urging them to keep the gathering peaceful and not to throw objects or dangerous devices toward state buildings.

According to the statement, the protest ended around 20 minutes after midnight. No major incidents were reported, and there were no injuries among either the protesters or police officers.

Police thanked citizens for their understanding and cooperation, particularly during temporary traffic closures.

Police also announced that they would maintain their presence and patrols on the ground to ensure constitutional order and public safety in the country.

The protest was organized to express citizens’ dissatisfaction with the decision of the Specialist Chambers, which on Wednesday in The Hague found four former KLA leaders guilty. Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years in prison, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years.

EULEX is the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo. The European Union is the main funder of the Specialist Chambers, which are based in The Hague, the Netherlands.