EULEX headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo, attacked after the former president was convicted of war crimes

The headquarters of the European Union’s civilian mission in Kosovo, EULEX, in Pristina, was attacked on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, with stones, bottles, paving slabs, and fireworks, following the announcement of the convictions of four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Hundreds of people took part in the protest, while police protected the building.

The crowd reacted to the verdicts of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, which at first instance sentenced Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi to 25 years in prison each, Kadri Veseli to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years. The four were found guilty of war crimes committed during the Kosovo conflict of 1998-1999.

Thousands of Kosovars followed the sentences in central Pristina, many wearing camouflage clothing and KLA insignia. Protesters chanted that the rulings were unjust, and after the demonstration dispersed, some of them headed toward the EULEX headquarters.

EULEX was targeted because the mission supported the investigation of the case and the operation of the special court, established following investigations that began in 2010. The European mission, created in 2008, supports Kosovo’s institutions in the fields of policing, justice, and customs.