Anger erupts in Pristina after Kosovo parliament stalls bid to curb powers of Hague court

On October 5, hundreds of protesters rallied in Pristina, Kosovo against the country’s parliament for failing to advance legislation that would weaken the powers of a Hague-based court. Weeks earlier, the court convicted four former rebel leaders of war crimes, leading to weeks of unrest. During Monday's protest, demonstrators clashed with police, who used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd; protesters threw firecrackers and stones, blocking parliament exits. At least 17 people were injured, including six police officers.

The proposed amendments would cap prison sentences at 15 years, allow appeals to Kosovo’s Supreme Court, permit serving sentences in Kosovo, and enable presidential amnesty for convicted individuals. These changes aim to address the court's perceived overly punitive verdicts. However, parliament adjourned without a second vote on these amendments, triggering further anger among protesters who waved Albanian and KLA flags and demanded immediate action.

This conflict highlights deep divisions within Kosovo over historical figures now deemed war criminals by the international court, reflecting broader tensions between national heroism narratives and legal accountability for wartime actions.