Kosovo's opposition released tear gas in parliament for a sixth time Monday, despite a recent reprimand from the US secretary of state over the ongoing disruption.
Opposition MPs have for more than two months paralysed the work of parliament in protest against EU-brokered dialogue and deals reached with Serbia, the country from which Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
On a flying visit to Pristina early this month, US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the disruption, saying that parliament "is not the place for tear gas and that is not the place for intimidation".
The opposition nevertheless renewed its protest on Monday, with MPs opening canisters to release tear gas that quickly spread through the chamber and forced a suspension of proceedings, while their supporters rioted outside.
"This is a collective action by the opposition," said MP Glauk Konjufca, one of those who released the gas.
"Others have done this too, and we will continue to do this in the future. Our breaching of the law is nothing compared to the damage that is being done by these agreements."
They are particularly opposed to an agreement that would give more autonomy to Kosovo's ethnic Serb minority, saying it would deepen Kosovo's ethnic divide and increase Serbia's influence.
Protesters also reject a border demarcation deal with neighbouring Montenegro, arguing that it has led to a loss of territory.
Monday's protest went ahead despite the presence of about 100 plainclothes police officers in gas masks inside the chamber.
One of the MPs involved, Pal Lekaj, was later taken in by police, bringing to seven the number of deputies who have been detained in recent weeks for releasing tear gas.
Lekaj earlier told journalists the protest actions would continue, saying the opposition had "an endless supply of tear gas".
About 100 opposition supporters meanwhile threw stones and red paint at parliament, smashing several windows before they were dispersed by anti-riot police who chased them through the city.
Police arrested three of them and said the rioters had tried to set fire to an armoured police vehicle with Molotov cocktails.
The parliamentary session on next year's budget resumed with only MPs from the ruling coalition allowed to take part.
The European Union has been brokering talks and agreements between Serbia and Kosovo in an attempt to improve relations between the two sides, which fought a 1998-99 war.
The United States has been a staunch supporter of Kosovo, one of the poorest parts of Europe, whose population of 1.8 million is predominantly ethnic Albanian and Muslim.
On his December 2 visit, Kerry said all parties "must renounce the use of violence in public life and instead commit to engaging with each other peacefully and constructively".
Kosovo’s opposition released tear gas in parliament for a sixth time Monday, despite a recent reprimand from the US secretary of state over the ongoing disruption.
Opposition MPs have for more than two months paralysed the work of parliament in protest against EU-brokered dialogue and deals reached with Serbia, the country from which Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
On a flying visit to Pristina early this month, US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the disruption, saying that parliament “is not the place for tear gas and that is not the place for intimidation”.
The opposition nevertheless renewed its protest on Monday, with MPs opening canisters to release tear gas that quickly spread through the chamber and forced a suspension of proceedings, while their supporters rioted outside.
“This is a collective action by the opposition,” said MP Glauk Konjufca, one of those who released the gas.
“Others have done this too, and we will continue to do this in the future. Our breaching of the law is nothing compared to the damage that is being done by these agreements.”
They are particularly opposed to an agreement that would give more autonomy to Kosovo’s ethnic Serb minority, saying it would deepen Kosovo’s ethnic divide and increase Serbia’s influence.
Protesters also reject a border demarcation deal with neighbouring Montenegro, arguing that it has led to a loss of territory.
Monday’s protest went ahead despite the presence of about 100 plainclothes police officers in gas masks inside the chamber.
One of the MPs involved, Pal Lekaj, was later taken in by police, bringing to seven the number of deputies who have been detained in recent weeks for releasing tear gas.
Lekaj earlier told journalists the protest actions would continue, saying the opposition had “an endless supply of tear gas”.
About 100 opposition supporters meanwhile threw stones and red paint at parliament, smashing several windows before they were dispersed by anti-riot police who chased them through the city.
Police arrested three of them and said the rioters had tried to set fire to an armoured police vehicle with Molotov cocktails.
The parliamentary session on next year’s budget resumed with only MPs from the ruling coalition allowed to take part.
The European Union has been brokering talks and agreements between Serbia and Kosovo in an attempt to improve relations between the two sides, which fought a 1998-99 war.
The United States has been a staunch supporter of Kosovo, one of the poorest parts of Europe, whose population of 1.8 million is predominantly ethnic Albanian and Muslim.
On his December 2 visit, Kerry said all parties “must renounce the use of violence in public life and instead commit to engaging with each other peacefully and constructively”.
