Police clash with Kosovo protesters over bid to curb Hague war crimes court

The political dispute over the court has become a factor in negotiations to hold a new presidential election.By AFP and The Associated PressPublished On 6 Oct 20266 Oct 2026Police have clashed with protesters outside Kosovo’s Parliament over plans to limit the powers of a Hague-based war crimes court.The violence broke out on Monday evening after Parliament ended its session without passing the proposed changes, which concerned the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, a court dedicated to crimes committed during the Kosovo War from 1998 to 2000.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Serbian populist leader Vucic launches campaign for prime ministerlist 2 of 2What’s next for Bosnia after elections?end of listFounded in 2015, the court is an independent part of Kosovo’s judicial system, based in The Hague and staffed internationally.Critics, however, have accused the court’s verdicts of being overly punitive. The amendments before Parliament would limit sentences to 15 years, allow sentences to be served in Kosovo and permit appeals to the country’s Supreme Court.The changes passed a first reading earlier on Monday, but Parliament adjourned before a second vote could be held.Flames ris...