Prishtinë, 26th of February 2016, 21:00 h

Referring the information received from the field it was verified that in three locations there are found and seized suspicious means by the police, (6) bags with (39) bottles of cocktail molotov and (38) bottles with color;

• Square Adem Jashari – (cocktail Molotov is thrown toward police officers and facility of Assembly of RK, as well as an amount of cocktail Molotov is seized).

• Street “Ilir Konushevci” at the house of Prime Minister of Kosovo – (the entrance of the house was attacked with cocktail molotov, near there was seized one unblown cocktail molotov as we as two blown ones).

• Skënderbeu Square – (inside the tends cocktail molotovs are seized, color bottles and spray).

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INFORMATION FOR MEDIA 

Kosovo Police, Information regarding the police actions at the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo and the thrift of the protest

Prishtinë, 26th of February 2015, 

Kosovo Police, regarding the session at the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo as well as the legally unannounced protest, including other possible developments, has done its police planning undertaking necessary legal measures in providing safety, keeping public peace and order, based on the legal procedures and the regulation of Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo.

Kosovo Police as a law enforcement institution took all police actions conform Constitution, laws in power and drafted plans, to guarantee public peace and order, for the thrift of the protest and manifestation of several citizens, as well as providing the environment for free movement for all citizens indiscriminately. 

At about 10:00 am, before the session some citizens including political personalities from the opposition protested in front of the Assembly of RK, while at 10:40 some citizens manifested in the “Fehmi Agani” street in Prishtinë.

In order to keep public peace and order and avoiding any possible incidents relevant police units intervened and by their presence managed to maintain the situation calm, under control and the manifesters have spread without any incidents.

The session of the Assembly started at 12:00, to be interrupted several minutes past 14:00 after suspicious means have been thrown by opposition lawmakers, suspected to be tear gas.  

Referring to the circumstances and situation in the area of Assembly, where a suspicious mean was thrown, Kosovo Police in consults and coordination with competent prosecutor undertook all its necessary legal measures for investigation and verifying suspicious means. 

At about 14:40, relevant police units have detained one deputy who declared of throwing the mean suspected to be tear gas in the session.

While at about 15:20, after the session started again and the informing about the expelling of several opposition deputies, tear gas was thrown again and the session was interrupted again. 

The Headship of the Assembly of Republic of Kosovo decided to expell several deputies of the opposition and it was required from security officers to undertake necessary legal actions for taking them away from the hall.

Assembly security officers conform legal procedures initially they presented the decision of the assembly to the expelled deputies and they escorted them out of the assembly hall in order to create the conditions to continue conditions to continue on with the session.

During session developments one deputy attempted to throw tear gas again, but security officers reacted and prevented it. 

Continuing to implement legal procedures, relevant police units escorted in police station three (3) other deputies, for further legal proceedings.

In the protest initially there were nearly 2000-2500 protesters but later on a number of protesters left and nearly 400-500 protesters remained.

At about 16:55 at the Square “Adem Jashari” later on at “Agim Ramadani” square as well, some violent camouflaged protesters with masks started throwing various means including stones, fireworks and cocktail molotovs toward the police and the facility of the Assembly. 

Police units were obliged to intervene using legal means for dispersing the crows and bringing the situation under control, arresting five (5) violent protesters.

As a result of the attacks and violence coming from protesters towards police until now we have 21 injured police officers. 

Also, it is suspected that one journalist injured himself during the realization of his duties and he was sent for firs aid.

Referring to the situation created, violence displayed by the protesters, for the security reasons are checked and moved away from the square all the tends located there. 

Also, for the security reasons for citizens and civil vehicles, circulation was temporary prohibited in some streets, to re-orient in alternative streets by the traffic officers.

As a material evidence, in three various locations including tends in the square, during the examination by the relevant police units are found and seized 6 bags with 39 bottles of cocktail molotov as well as 38 bottles with color. 

Kosovo Police continues the implementation of its legal duties and obligations, including traffic thrift, because some citizens are manifesting in different locations.

Respectfully,

KP Information Office

GPD – Prishtinë