Pristina was gripped by tensions after the announcement of the verdict in The Hague against four former KLA leaders. Dozens of citizens gathered near the EULEX building in the capital’s industrial zone, while stones were also reported thrown at the building.
Protest after the sentences were announced
The gathering came immediately after the decision by the Specialist Chambers, which convicted Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi of war crimes.
According to reports, the sentences handed down range from 13 to 25 years in prison, a development that has triggered a strong public reaction in Pristina.
Why EULEX was chosen
It was not immediately clear why the protesters chose the EULEX building specifically as their gathering point.
However, the European Union mission has a supporting role for the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, providing logistical and operational support.
The EU’s role in the support structure
Within this institutional framework, the EU appears as the main financer of these mechanisms.
This link appears to have turned EULEX into a symbolic target of reaction on the ground, at a moment when the Hague verdict has created a high political and emotional charge in Kosovo.
The incident adds to tensions surrounding a process that for years has produced political clashes and intense public debate in Kosovo.
At this stage, official clarifications remain limited regarding the dynamics of the protest and the specific reason why the crowd concentrated at the EULEX building.