Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Kosovo Protesters Clash With Police Over War Crimes Court Law
People in Pristina protested a law about a court that tries cases linked to Kosovo’s war.
They want lawmakers to change the rules for that court.
Parliament had approved the changes in an initial vote, but a second vote was still needed.
Some protesters threw stones and firecrackers at police.
Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd.
Police said 17 people were injured, including six officers, and three protesters were detained.
The proposed changes would limit some of the court’s powers.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the proposals had not been carefully considered, and his party did not support the second vote.
Demonstrators clashed with police outside government and parliament buildings in central Pristina.
Police used tear gas and water cannon after protesters threw stones and firecrackers.
Police reported 17 people injured, including six officers, and three protesters detained.
Lawmakers approved an initial reading of amendments that would change the Kosovo war crimes court’s powers.
The amendments did not receive a second vote after Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his party declined to support it.
- Who
- Protesters, police, Kosovo lawmakers and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
- What
- Protesters clashed with police while demanding a second vote on amendments to the law governing Kosovo’s war crimes court.
- When
- Monday, October 5; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Outside parliament and government buildings in central Pristina, Kosovo.
- Why
- Demonstrators sought changes that would limit the court’s powers after it convicted former President Hashim Thaci and three others of war crimes.
Support for Amendments
Concerns About Amendments
Changing the court’s powers
Support for Amendments
Protesters demanded a second vote on legislation that would limit the court’s powers. The amendments were presented by the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci’s former party.
Concerns About Amendments
Prime Minister Albin Kurti described the proposed changes as rushed and insufficiently analysed. His party declined to support the second vote.
- Reported injuries
- At least 17 people, including six police officers
- Protesters detained
- Three
- First legislative vote
- Lawmakers approved the first reading of amendments to the Specialist Chambers law
- Proposed sentence limit
- 15 years
- Proposed other changes
- Appeals to Kosovo’s Supreme Court, serving sentences in Kosovo, and presidential amnesty
- Court established
- 2015, under international pressure
- Hashim Thaci sentence
- 25 years in prison; he and three co-defendants appealed their verdicts