Kosovo Opposition Releases Tear Gas in Parliament

Opposition lawmakers released tear gas Monday in Kosovo’s parliament as they once again tried to pressure the government into renouncing deals with Serbia and Montenegro
Kosovo Opposition Releases Tear Gas in Parliament
Lawmakers react as opposition lawmakers release tear gas canisters disrupting a parliamentary session in Kosovo capital Pristina on Monday Dec. 14, 2015. AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu
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PRISTINA, Kosovo—Opposition lawmakers released tear gas Monday in Kosovo’s parliament as they once again tried to pressure the government into renouncing deals with Serbia and Montenegro.

Clouds of smoke from two tear gas canisters forced lawmakers out of the debating chamber.

The parliamentary session restarted later in another room with most opposition lawmakers barred from entering. It had to be temporarily suspended again when another tear gas canister was opened there too, after four opposition lawmakers were let in.

An opposition political party, the Alliance for Kosovo’s Future, said one of its lawmakers, Pal Lekaj, was arrested, allegedly for using tear gas.

Meanwhile, police dispersed about 150 opposition supporters throwing stones and paint outside parliament. Windows were broken and some were covered in red paint. There were no reports of any injuries.

Three protesters were arrested.

Clashes continued in other streets in the capital where at least one protester was arrested. Six cars were damaged and one of them burned, police said, adding that protesters tried to block streets with garbage containers.

Kosovo parliament security forces wear gas masks after opposition lawmakers released a tear gas canister disrupting a parliamentary session in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, on Dec. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Kosovo parliament security forces wear gas masks after opposition lawmakers released a tear gas canister disrupting a parliamentary session in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, on Dec. 14, 2015. AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu