Pristina erupts over verdicts against former KLA leaders: Government building pelted with stones PHOTO

The protesters pelted the building with stones, breaking several windows. The so-called Kosovo Police formed a cordon in front of the building and prevented the demonstrators from approaching it, while the crowd made several attempts to break through the police barrier.

The protesters had previously left Pristina’s central square, where they had been watching the verdict being read, and headed to the EULEX headquarters in Kosovo Polje. There, they attempted to break through the fence and enter the compound, but were prevented from doing so by the so-called Kosovo Police.

The EULEX headquarters was also not spared from the unrest. The crowd pelted the compound with stones and bottles, smashed windows, and damaged the fence surrounding the premises.

The protests broke out after former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi were sentenced to 25 years in prison each in The Hague. Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years, while Rexhep Selimi received a 13-year prison sentence for war crimes.

The verdict sparked strong reactions among those gathered in Pristina, and the protest escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police following the sentencing.