Fight erupts in Kosovo Assembly as Opposition MP throws water at PM Albin Kurti; watch video

Recent events at the Kosovo parliament have escalated tensions, leading to physical altercations and fistfights. The catalyst for these disturbances was a three-day public debate centered around an audio recording involving a member of the ruling party and an official from the Serb-majority north.

Kosovo's opposition has consistently criticized Prime Minister Albin Kurti's handling of the situation in the northern region, which has strained relations with key Western allies such as the United States and the European Union.

The unrest in the north has been further exacerbated since ethnic Albanian mayors assumed office following April elections, which the Serb population boycotted in protest, demanding greater autonomy as stipulated in a ten-year-old agreement. Kosovo's population is predominantly Albanian, with Serbs comprising only about 5%.


Video footage from inside the parliament captured an opposition party MP throwing water at Prime Minister Kurti and his deputy. The altercation quickly escalated as other lawmakers from both the opposition and the governing coalition joined in, leading to a chaotic brawl. Eventually, police intervention was necessary to restore order.


The focal point of the debate was an audio conversation leaked by the online media outlet Nacionale. The recording featured the chairwoman of Kurti's party, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, and Serb lawmaker Slavko Simic. The conversation took place in June of the previous year.

In the audio, Kusari-Lila mentioned having spoken with a sanctioned Serbian official named Milan Radojcic, who is under U.S. government sanctions for involvement in organized crime and corrupt activities. Additionally, Radojcic is wanted by the Kosovo authorities.

The Speaker of the Parliament, Glauk Konjufca, strongly condemned the violence, stating that it was unacceptable and punishable. Consequently, he ordered a two-hour delay in the session.

In an attempt to ease tensions, Prime Minister Kurti announced on Wednesday that he had reached an agreement with the European Union to reduce the police presence in the north and implement other measures aimed at de-escalation.

Earlier clashes on May 29 between NATO peacekeeping forces and Serb protesters resulted in injuries to 93 soldiers, some of them severe. Local doctors reported that 52 Serbs were also injured during the incident.