Kosovo opposition protests detention of its leader
Posted October 13, 2015 7:00 am
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - Kosovo police say 15 policemen and one civilian were injured during a violent protest by the opposition Self-Determination Party, after an opposition lawmaker was taken in for questioning.
Spokesman Baki Kelani says opposition leader Albin Kurti was taken to a police station Monday evening to be questioned on the use of tear gas to disrupt the parliament session last week. The opposition was protesting against the government's recent EU-sponsored deal with Serbia giving the Kosovo's Serb-majority areas greater powers.
Kurti, a member of parliament, was released after midnight while nine protesters have been arrested, Kelani said Tuesday.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but Serbia has refused to recognize it.
Kosovo police officers in riot gear stand in a cloud of tear gas in Kosovo capital Pristina as clashes broke out after the arrest of a prominent opposition politician Albin Kurti on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. The main opposition parties have been protesting governmentâs recent EU-sponsored deal with authorities in Serbia that give Kosovoâs Serb minority greater rights in areas where they live. Albin Kurti, who is a leader of the nationalist Vetvendosje movement, set off a teargas canister inside Kosovoâs Parliament in an attempt to halt the proceedings. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
The Associated Press
Protester run from tear gas in Kosovo capital Pristina as clashes broke out after the arrest of a prominent opposition politician Albin Kurti on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. The main opposition parties have been protesting governmentâs recent EU-sponsored deal with authorities in Serbia that give Kosovoâs Serb minority greater rights in areas where they live. Albin Kurti, who is a leader of the nationalist Vetvendosje movement, set off a teargas canister inside Kosovoâs Parliament in an attempt to halt the proceedings. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
The Associated Press
Molotov cocktail is thrown at the police officers in Kosovo capital Pristina as clashes broke out after the arrest of a prominent opposition politician Albin Kurti on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. The main opposition parties have been protesting governmentâs recent EU-sponsored deal with authorities in Serbia that give Kosovoâs Serb minority greater rights in areas where they live. Albin Kurti, who is a leader of the nationalist Vetvendosje movement, set off a teargas canister inside Kosovoâs Parliament in an attempt to halt the proceedings. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
The Associated Press
Kosovo Police in riot gear use pepper spray on a stone throwing crowd gathered to protest in front of the central police station in Kosovo capital Pristina after the arrest of a prominent opposition politician Albin Kurti on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. The main opposition parties have been protesting governmentâs recent EU-sponsored deal with authorities in Serbia that give Kosovoâs Serb minority greater rights in areas where they live. Albin Kurti, who is a leader of the nationalist Vetvendosje movement, set off a teargas canister inside Kosovoâs Parliament in an attempt to halt the proceedings. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
The Associated Press
A protester throws stones in Kosovo capital Pristina as clashes broke out after the arrest of a prominent opposition politician Albin Kurti on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. The main opposition parties have been protesting governmentâs recent EU-sponsored deal with authorities in Serbia that give Kosovoâs Serb minority greater rights in areas where they live. Albin Kurti, who is a leader of the nationalist Vetvendosje movement, set off a teargas canister inside Kosovoâs Parliament in an attempt to halt the proceedings. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
The Associated Press
A protester throws stones at the police officers taking shelter inside the central police station in Kosovo capital Pristina as clashes broke out after the arrest of a prominent opposition politician Albin Kurti on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. The main opposition parties have been protesting governmentâs recent EU-sponsored deal with authorities in Serbia that give Kosovoâs Serb minority greater rights in areas where they live. Albin Kurti, who is a leader of the nationalist Vetvendosje movement, set off a teargas canister inside Kosovoâs Parliament in an attempt to halt the proceedings. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
The Associated Press
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