2008 protests against Kosovo declaration of independence

none November 2010 2008 protests against Kosovo declaration of independence the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Kosovo je Srbija evening demonstration.jpg A crowd rallies in front of SKC on February 21, 2008. 17–28 February 2008 Largest protests and unrest occurred in Serbia, with several protests also having taken place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and elsewhere 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence Demonstrations, occupations, rioting, civil disobedience, vandalism Police of Serbia Serb protestors 6,000+ riot police deployed Approximately 200,000 participatedCNN report on February 21 protest in Serbia claims more than 2,000,000 people attending Over 100 injured 1 Ukrainian U.N Officer killedhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm UN officer dies after Kosovo riot 2008-03-18 2020-11-18 bbc.co.uk 2020-11-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20201121171123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm live Over 200 injured Over 200 arrestedSerbia: Police and Authorities Allowed Attacks https://web.archive.org/web/20080228015616/http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/international/3019798/index.do%3Bjsessionid%3DD68F156C15859CB09C0F3EF1D356353C.2 February 28, 2008 , Večernji list, February 23, 2008 1 death Widespread protests and riots in Serbia and North Kosovo followed the proclamation of independence by the Republic of Kosovo on February 17, 2008. Protests were also held by Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Serbia February 17–20 On February 17, approximately 2,000 Serbs protested and stoned, then entered the Slovenian embassy in which they made major damage (Slovenia held the rotating Council presidency of the European Union at the time),http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/tuerk-zahteva-opravicilo-in-odskodnino/83487 Türk zahteva opravičilo in odškodnino 2010-11-19 2012-10-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20121007075402/http://www.rtvslo.si/slovenija/tuerk-zahteva-opravicilo-in-odskodnino/83487 live burnt down portions of the United States and Croatian embassy buildings in Belgrade, with some throwing stones and firecrackers at the buildings before being driven back by riot police.http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/17/europe/kosovo.php Kosovo declares independence International Herald Tribune Europe 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080217132115/http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/17/europe/kosovo.php live On February 18, a false bomb threat was called on a Slovenian Mercator store in Belgrade. Serbia calls for calm protests, cuts diplomatic ties (Roundup) - Europe http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1391824.php/Serbia_calls_for_calm_protests_cuts_diplomatic_ties__Roundup_ 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226061712/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1391824.php/Serbia_calls_for_calm_protests_cuts_diplomatic_ties__Roundup_ 2008-02-26 dead It was also announced that Beovizija 2008, originally scheduled for February 19, would be rescheduled to March 10 and 11.Zbog stanja na Kosovu do daljnjeg otkazana Beovizija http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/scena/3016227/index.do 2008-02-22 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080222025300/http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/scena/3016227/index.do February 22, 2008 In the multi-ethnic northern Serbian town of Subotica, approximately 300 protesting Serb youths chanted nationalist slogans directed against the country's Albanian, Hungarian and Croat communities.Last night in Subotica a protest was held due in response to the declaration of independence by Kosovo https://web.archive.org/web/20080228001004/http://www.suboticadanas.info/html/index.php?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=3&pid=2359 February 28, 2008 On February 19, protesters damaged several foreign businesses in Užice, including Société Générale, UniCredit and the Croatian-owned supermarket Idea. SEEbiz.eu — Retailing — Todorić's Idea attacked in Užice http://www.seebiz.eu/en/corporate/retailing/todoric%E2%80%99s-idea-attacked-in-uzice,9023.html 2008-02-22 2008 2019-03-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20190329074426/http://www.seebiz.eu/en/corporate/retailing/todoric%E2%80%99s-idea-attacked-in-uzice,9023.html/ live The Serbian division of U.S. Steel, based in Smederevo, had a false bomb threat called in.B92 - Vesti — Neredi u gradovima Srbije — Internet, Radio i TV stanica; najnovije vesti iz Srbije http://xs4.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=19&nav_id=285477 2008-02-22 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080226051945/http://xs4.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=19&nav_id=285477 2008-02-26 In Belgrade, stones were thrown by protesters at the Turkish embassy. Serbia tries to claw back Kosovo — SBS World News Australia http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/serbia_tries_to_claw_back_kosovo_540834 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226020716/http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/serbia_tries_to_claw_back_kosovo_540834 2008-02-26 dead On February 20, the Australian embassy in Belgrade was closed in anticipation of the following day's protests.Protesters want Kosovo decision reversed — Breaking News — National — Breaking News http://news.theage.com.au/australian-embassy-in-serbia-closed/20080222-1tv5.html https://archive.today/20121231000610/http://news.theage.com.au/australian-embassy-in-serbia-closed/20080222-1tv5.html dead 2012-12-31 2008-02-22 Melbourne The Age Julie Tullberg 2008-02-22 A protest in Niš drew several thousand people and was peaceful.Niš: Several thousand students protest https://web.archive.org/web/20080226054116/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=20&nav_id=47853 February 26, 2008 , B92, February 20, 2008 Kosovo is Serbia protest Kosovo is Serbia thumb|right|Kosovo is Serbia rally on February 21, 2008 in Belgrade right|thumb|200x200px|SRS supporters demonstrating against Kosovo's declaration of independence, Belgrade, 2008 On February 21, a very large demonstration called Kosovo is Serbia (Косово је Србија, Kosovo je Srbija) was held in Belgrade in front of the Parliament organized by the Serbian government, with up to hundreds of thousands people attending it.http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Politika/307387/Cetiri-godine-od-proglasenja-nezavisnosti-Kosova Četiri godine od proglašenja nezavisnosti Kosova 16 February 2012 6 January 2015 5 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120905112826/http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Politika/307387/Cetiri-godine-od-proglasenja-nezavisnosti-Kosova live Speakers at the protest were: Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica, opposition leader Tomislav Nikolić, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, Montenegro opposition leader Andrija Mandić, Montenegro opposition politician Predrag Popović, basketball player Dejan Bodiroga, filmmaker Emir Kusturica, tennis player Novak Djokovic (via link), actors Ivana Žigon Ivana Žigon sr, Nenad Jezdić and Nataša Tapušković, and Yugoslav crown prince Alexander Karađorđević. After the protest, people gathered at the Temple of Saint Sava for a religious service, where a speech was held by acting head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Archbishop Amfilohije Risto Radović of Montenegro and the Littoral. The president of Serbia and commander-in-chief of Serbian Armed Forces, Boris Tadic (Democratic Party), did not attend. The rally was not supported by the Liberal Democratic Party Liberalno-demokratska partija http://www.ldp.rs/vesti.84.html?newsId=1055 https://archive.today/20130416130739/http://www.ldp.rs/vesti.84.html?newsId=1055 dead 2013-04-16 2008-02-22 2008 nor by the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina, both of which are represented in Parliament. Attacks on diplomatic missions and businesses Attacks on the United States thumb|left|Map of the attacked embassies after the rally thumb|right|US embassy after Kosovo is Serbia rally on February 21, 2008 in Belgrade The protest was peaceful until participants arrived at the US, Chinese, Croatian and Slovenian embassies, where a group of about 1000 riotershttps://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7260613.stm US starts evacuation from Serbia BBC 2008-02-23 2008-02-23 2008-02-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226091308/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7260613.stm live separated themselves and started attacking the embassies. They burned the US embassy, entered and destroyed the interior and exterior of the Croatian and Chinese embassyhttp://www.siol.net/svet/novice/2008/02/bush_kosovo_odzivi.aspx Demonstracije v Beogradu: Protestniki vdrli v slovensko veleposlaništvo - SiOL.net 2010-11-19 2010-03-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20100324052801/http://www.siol.net/svet/novice/2008/02/bush_kosovo_odzivi.aspx dead and caused minor damage to the Slovenian embassy.https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_re_eu/serbia_kosovo_independence Belgrade's US Embassy set on fire 2008-02-21 Associated Press dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080226003751/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080221/ap_on_re_eu/serbia_kosovo_independence 2008-02-26 The security cameras in the Slovenian embassy also filmed the action outside the embassy where Serbian police didn't try to stop the protesters from entering the embassy, instead they moved away, which caused protests in Slovenia.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brW3d1yM0OM https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/brW3d1yM0OM 2021-12-21 live Serbs breaks into Slovenian embassy www.youtube.com 23 February 2008 Emergency services were able to put the fire out in embassies after protesters dissipated. Furious U.S. warns Serbs over Belgrade embassy attack Star Tribune http://www.startribune.com/15842192.html 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080228034012/http://www.startribune.com/15842192.html 2008-02-28 dead At around 21:00 UTC, CNN reported that "charred remains" of an individual had been found inside the burnt-out offices. Flags of the United States, Croatia, Slovenia and European Union were also burnt.http://moj.dnevnik.si/novice/svet/299413 Vdrli v slovensko ambasado v Beogradu, spopadi pred Mercatorjem, ranjenih 50 ljudi 2010-11-19 2012-03-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20120315054315/http://moj.dnevnik.si/novice/svet/299413 dead U Beogradu napadnute hrvatska i američka ambasada — Jutarnji.hr http://www.jutarnji.hr/svijet/clanak/art-2008,2,21,,109553.jl 2008-02-22 2008 2008-04-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20080430184810/http://www.jutarnji.hr/svijet/clanak/art-2008,2,21,,109553.jl dead In response, a group of around fifty Croatian protesters burnt the Serbian flag in central Zagreb, after which the police arrested 44 of them. Gnjevni Boysi zapalili srpsku zastavu — Jutarnji.hr http://www.jutarnji.hr/dogadjaji_dana/clanak/art-2008,2,21,,109602.jl 2008-02-22 2008 2008-05-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20080501023537/http://www.jutarnji.hr/dogadjaji_dana/clanak/art-2008,2,21,,109602.jl dead Police guarded the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade on February 22.Fresh violence in Kosovo Serb protests — CNN.com http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/22/serbia.kosovo/index.html 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080225210637/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/22/serbia.kosovo/index.html 2008-02-25 dead Other foreign embassies damaged in the course of the protest included those of Belgium, Germany and Turkey. DNEVNIAVAZ.BA — Multimedija — Huligani pale i ruše sve pred sobom! http://www.dnevniavaz.ba/multimedija/foto-galerije/huligani-pale-i-ruse-sve-pred-sobom 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080225131531/http://www.dnevniavaz.ba/multimedija/foto-galerije/huligani-pale-i-ruse-sve-pred-sobom 2008-02-25 dead German embassy stopped giving visas to Serbian citizens https://web.archive.org/web/20080227235359/http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/international/3018717/index.do February 27, 2008 , Večernji list In Belgrade and Novi Sad, McDonald's shops were damaged by protesters.http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23231577-912,00.html Serbian president rejects Kosovo independence declaration Adelaide Now 2008-02-17 2008-02-17 Slobodan Lekic 2008-02-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226053910/http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23231577-912,00.html dead According to Serbian sources, the violent protesters were ad hoc football fans. 54 policemen and 34 citizens were injured. A Dutch journalist suffered broken ribs. Ongoing violence threatens relations with Serbia – EU — News news http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/ongoing-violence-threatens-relations-with-serbia--eu/id_27741/catid_66 2008-02-22 2008 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052319/http://www.sofiaecho.com/article/ongoing-violence-threatens-relations-with-serbia--eu/id_27741/catid_66 live Serbian politicians condemned the violence. Blic Online Predsednik Tadić neće govoriti na mitingu http://www.blic.co.rs/politika.php?id=31082 https://archive.today/20130416134128/http://www.blic.co.rs/politika.php?id=31082 dead 2013-04-16 2008-02-22 2008 The total damage from the violence was estimated at over 8 million Serbian dinars ($US 143,000).Account of yesterday's chaos, B92, February 22, 2008 The United Nations Security Council responded to these incidents by issuing a unanimous statement that, "The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms the mob attacks against embassies in Belgrade, which have resulted in damage to embassy premises and have endangered diplomatic personnel," noting that the 1961 Vienna Convention requires host states to protect embassies.https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN21520115 U.N. council condemns Belgrade embassy attacks Reuters 2008-02-21 2008-02-21 Patrick Worsnip 2008-02-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20080225200937/http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN21520115 live In response to the attacks, the German embassy announced that it would temporarily stop granting visas to Serbian citizens. Also on February 21, Serbian army reservists from Kuršumlija took their protest into Kosovo, during which time they attacked the Kosovo Police Service with stones.Srbijanski rezervisti kamenjem gađali kosovsku policiju na prijelazu Merdare http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/international/3018157/index.do 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080228012133/http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/international/3018157/index.do 2008-02-28 dead An explosive was set off in the Kosovo Serb enclave of Kosovska Mitrovica near a United Nations-run courthouse. Javno — World http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=125758 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226021202/http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=125758 2008-02-26 dead During the rally there were people who carried portraits of ICTY-fugitive former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić and the blue-red flag of the far-right Orthodox organization Obraz. Belgrade Riots — Photo Essays — TIME http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1715332_1538115,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080225102332/http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1715332_1538115,00.html dead February 25, 2008 2008-02-22 Time 2008-02-21 In Kraljevo, Obraz was responsible for the vandalization of an Evangelical church. In Valjevo, a Slovenian firm Sava Osiguranje was set on fire, most likely by protesting youths.Office of Slovenian firm Sava Osiguranje set on fire https://web.archive.org/web/20080225202646/http://patak.mediaonweb.org/sh/1177/10/8103/ 2008-02-25 , February 22, 2008 The Radio Television of Serbia took American films and sitcoms off the air, replacing them with content from Spain and Russia, who have been against Kosovo's independence. US-Serb Tension Mounts Over Kosovo — TIME http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1715480,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080225121012/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1715480,00.html dead February 25, 2008 2008-02-22 Time 2008-02-22 Andrew Purvis February 22 The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration warned against travelling to Belgrade, resulting in the cancellation of an Adriatic League basketball match between Zagreb's KK Cibona and Belgrade's KK Partizan. Sportal.hr — Cibona vraćena iz Beograda, Partizan garantira sigurnost http://www.sportal.hr/sportal/sportal/kosarka/nlb/3018890/index.do 2008-02-22 2008 April 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes A concert by the Croatian band Hladno pivo scheduled for February 29 was similarly cancelled. Otkazan koncert Hladnog piva u Beogradu — Jutarnji.hr http://www.jutarnji.hr/kultura_i_zivot/showbiz/clanak/art-2008,2,22,,109690.jl 2008-02-22 2008 2008-04-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20080420180311/http://www.jutarnji.hr/kultura_i_zivot/showbiz/clanak/art-2008,2,22,,109690.jl dead Also on February 22, the United States embassy in Serbia ordered the temporary evacuation of all non-essential personnel, after the protests and attacks on the embassy. Rian Harris, a U.S. embassy spokeswoman, explained the evacuation to AFP saying that "Dependents are being temporarily ordered to depart Belgrade. We do not have confidence that Serbian authorities can provide security for our staff members."https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7259327.stm US to evacuate staff from Serbia BBC News 2008-02-22 2008-02-22 2008-02-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20080225132904/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7259327.stm live Slovenia also closed its own embassy, recommending its citizens not to travel to Serbia. B92 - Vesti — Ambasada Slovenije zatvorena — Internet, Radio i TV stanica; najnovije vesti iz Srbije http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=23&nav_id=286121&nav_category=640 2008-02-23 2008 The European Union froze talks with Serbia on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the country's next step in EU-integration. TODAY'S ZAMAN http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=134749 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226053320/http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=134749 2008-02-26 Meanwhile, nationalist organizations were reportedly spreading leaflets urging citizens to boycott banks and goods coming from the countries that support the independence of Kosovo. Serbia gives reminder of defiance under Milosevic — Europe, News — Independent.co.uk https://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/serbia-gives-reminder-of-defiance-under-milosevic-786167.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/serbia-gives-reminder-of-defiance-under-milosevic-786167.html 2022-05-01 subscription 2008-02-22 The Independent London 2008-02-23 February 23 The American embassy drew down staffing in Belgrade with a convoy headed to Croatia.US starts evacuation from Serbia 2008-02-23 BBC https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7260613.stm www.bbc.co.uk 2008-02-24 By this time, Serbian authorities reported that 200 rioters from the Belgrade protest had been arrested. The Kosovo-Serbia border crossings had also been normalized. The Liberal Democratic Party and the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina again expressed criticism of Prime Minister Koštunica and his handling of the events since Kosovo's declaration.http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/serbia-on-verge-of-isolation-after-riots_10020530.html Serbia on verge of isolation after riots 2008-02-23 2018-11-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20181118165051/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/serbia-on-verge-of-isolation-after-riots_10020530.html dead May 2016 February 26 Serbia's National Security Council met to discuss how police had failed to stop the mob from attacking the embassy on the 21st.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQ9cHqoJwJLtLGw2m93m-Dmn21NA Serbia probes police inaction during embassy attacks AFP/Google 2008-02-26 2008-02-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20080303092716/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hQ9cHqoJwJLtLGw2m93m-Dmn21NA 2008-03-03 dead The United States raised its travel alert for Serbia to a travel warning.http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1399 U.S. heightens travel warning in Serbia Los Angeles Times February 26, 2008 2008-02-27 Catharine M. Hamm 2008-03-02 https://web.archive.org/web/20080302000016/http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1399 live Zoran Vujović, the protester who died during the attack on the U.S. embassy, was buried in Novi Sad on February 26.Serbs mourn youth who died in riots targeting US embassy https://web.archive.org/web/20080308221855/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/27/europe/EU-GEN-Serbia-Kosovo-Independence.php 2008-03-08 , International Herald Tribune, February 27, 2008 Several thousand people attended the funeral. February 27 Human Rights Watch said that "Serbia's government should act quickly to reduce the dangerously hostile climate for human rights groups" since the Kosovo declaration.Serbia: Protect civil society and minorities - Government should unequivocally condemn and quell violenceJuly 2026 InternetArchiveBot February 28 The largest protest in Valjevo drew a crowd of several thousand people on February 28. http://www.pressonline.co.rs/sr/vesti/vesti_dana/story/31033 Press Srednjoškolci u protestu zbog Kosova 2008-02-28 Beta 2010-11-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20120315095535/http://www.pressonline.co.rs/sr/vesti/vesti_dana/story/31033 2012-03-15 dead February 29 On February 29, Serbian police charged 80 people in connection with the embassy attacks.Serbia Charges 80 People Over Riots June 2016 medicmedic North Kosovo 2008 unrest in Kosovo Note on Kosovo independence On February 19, Serbian protesters destroyed two UNMIK border checkpoints between Kosovo and Serbia. Srpski prosvjednici uništili dvije kontrolne točke UNMIK-a na Kosovu http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/international/3016405/index.do 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080402024954/http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/international/3016405/index.do 2008-04-02 dead Serbian minister for Kosovo, Slobodan Samardžić, declared that the act was legitimate and in line with the Serbian government's position. Samardžić: Demoliranje kontrolnih točaka UNMIK-a je legitimno i u skladu s politikom srbijanske vlade http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/international/3017063/index.do 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080317234355/http://www.vecernji.hr/newsroom/news/international/3017063/index.do 2008-03-17 dead A group called Mlada Bosna (Young Bosnia) also claimed responsibility for a string of hand-grenade attacks after Kosovo's declaration.Sign Up http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-kosovo20feb20,1,5114441.story 2008-02-22 Los Angeles Times Tracy Wilkinson 2008-02-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20081013195023/http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-kosovo20feb20%2C1%2C5114441.story 2008-10-13 live On February 22, NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) began blocking entrance into Kosovo from Serbia to those who "threaten public order" after several hundred students from Belgrade, Niš, and Kragujevac attempted to cross in. B92 - News — Politics — North Kosovo: UNMIK, students in new disturbance http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=22&nav_id=47904 2008-02-22 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080225203126/http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=22&nav_id=47904 2008-02-25 dead Despite the blockade, some of the protesters managed to make their way to Kosovska Mitrovica where they took part in clashes against UN police.The Associated Press: Kosovo Serb Protesters Attack UN Police http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ie7MkLvjbbKQiGvfank1pUVZvYywD8UVJT9O2 2008-02-22 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080225182523/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ie7MkLvjbbKQiGvfank1pUVZvYywD8UVJT9O2 February 25, 2008 On February 23, BBC News reported that nationalist Serbs were seeking to permanently separate North Kosovo from the Republic of Kosovo, through a strategy of confrontation, sabotage, and low-level violence directed against international institutions.Serbs enact plan to sabotage Kosovo https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7260283.stm 2008-02-23 BBC News 2008-02-23 Nick Thorpe 2008-02-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20080226091253/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7260283.stm live With continued Serb protests in northern Mitrovica, EU staff withdrew from the area.http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/eu-staff-flee-from-kosovos-split-city/2008/02/24/1203788144278.html EU staff flee from Kosovo's split city 2008-02-24 2008-02-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20080228042112/http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/eu-staff-flee-from-kosovos-split-city/2008/02/24/1203788144278.html live On February 24, with the seventh consecutive day of Serb protesting in Mitrovica, protests drew approximately 1000 people.Kosovo marks its first full week of independenceMay 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20080227180936/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200802242021.htm February 27, 2008 Despite some Serbian media outlets' claim to the contrary, Serbs from North Kosovo have not been leaving the Kosovo Police Service.Serbs not leaving the KPS, B92, February 24, 2008 The United States' ambassador to Serbia called on the country's leaders to do more to protect foreign diplomatic missions.http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/24/serbia.kosovo/index.html U.S. ambassador angered by Serb violence 2008-02-24 2008-02-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20080229001918/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/24/serbia.kosovo/index.html live On February 25, the protest in Mitrovica drew 2,000 people, during which an EU flag was burnt.Protesters in North Kosovo Burn EU Flag, Associated Press, February 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080303093030/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g1zMRGritCtusBjGtSPaGxk1ef-wD8V1F0080 March 3, 2008 On the Kosovo-Serbia border, 19 Kosovo police officers were injured by Serb protesters, before receiving additional help from NATO peacekeepers who dispersed the group.Protest at Kosovo border post injures 19 police officers On February 26, protests continued in Mitrovica where students staged a mock football game in which one team represented Serbia and the other team states which have recognized Kosovo.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/27/content_7674600.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20080403141832/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/27/content_7674600.htm dead April 3, 2008 Kosovo Serbs protest independence declaration with mock soccer game Xinhua 2008-02-27 2008-02-27 Protests in Mitrovica drew thousands on March 6, as well as several hundred in Gračanica, including suspended Serb policemen of KPS. http://www.pressonline.co.rs/sr/vesti/vesti_dana/story/31442 Press Protesti Srba u Gračanici 2008-03-05 2010-10-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20120315095548/http://www.pressonline.co.rs/sr/vesti/vesti_dana/story/31442 2012-03-15 dead http://www.rtv.rs/sr/vesti/politika/kosovo_i_metohija/2008_03_06/vest_54002.jsp Protesti na Kosovu – i danas - RADIO TELEVIZIJA VOJVODINE 2009-02-19 2009-08-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20090809150522/http://www.rtv.rs/sr/vesti/politika/kosovo_i_metohija/2008_03_06/vest_54002.jsp live On March 14, 2008, after staging rallies for several weeks that prevented ethnic Albanian court employees from entering a UN courthouse in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, hundreds of Kosovo Serbs broke into the building in the Serb-dominated part of the city, forcing UN police to retreat.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7296262.stm Kosovo Serbs seize UN courthouse BBC News 2008-03-14 2008-03-14 UN officials' negotiations with the Serbs to end the occupation were unsuccessful, and on March 17 UN police with the assistance of NATO-led KFOR forces entered the courthouse in a pre-dawn raid. When they arrived they were pelted with stones by around 100 Serbs. When they came out after arresting 53 of the protesters inside the courthouse they were attacked with gunfire, grenades and rocks by several hundred protesters who had massed outside.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ji84LRNNCuZVZ2vCngmqvnNEpyjQ UN police forced out of Kosovo town after clashes Agence France Presse 2008-03-17 2008-03-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20080322232015/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ji84LRNNCuZVZ2vCngmqvnNEpyjQ 2008-03-22 dead About half of the protesters who had been arrested were freed by fellow protesters during the clashes with the rest being released by the UN after questioning.Radul Radovanovic Peacekeepers battle Serbs in Kosovo 2008-03-17 Yahoo News https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_re_eu/kosovo_serbs Associated Press 2008-03-18 https://web.archive.org/web/20080322011032/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080317/ap_on_re_eu/kosovo_serbs 2008-03-22 dead The clashes lasted until around noon. One Ukrainian police officer was killed, 70 Serbs and 61 UN and NATO peacekeepers were wounded, and one UN vehicle and one NATO truck were set ablaze. Among the wounded international troops were 27 Polish and 14 Ukrainian police officers and 20 French soldiers. UN police withdrew from northern Mitrovica, leaving the area under the control of the NATO forces.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm Kosovo clashes force UN pullout BBC News 2008-03-17 2008-03-17UN officer dies after Kosovo riot 2008-03-18 https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm BBC News 2008-03-18 2008-03-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20080319040957/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7300015.stm live Gen. John Craddock, NATO's top commander, said that after speaking with NATO commanders in Kosovo that NATO did not feel it necessary to send reinforcements to Kosovo. On 19 March, UN police began to patrol parts of north Mitrovica again together with local Kosovo police, while the NATO peacekeepers still remained in overall control of security at the courthouse and generally in the north of Kosovo. A gradual transition to civilian control will happen over the next days.UN police back in north Mitrovica 2008-03-19 https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7305752.stm BBC News 2008-03-19 Bosnia and Herzegovina thumb|200px|right|Protests after Kosovo's declaration of independence in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Protests were held in Republika Srpska, the Serb-inhabited entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the 26th, about 10,000 protested in Banja Luka; a small group of them later approached the U.S. embassy branch office, damaging shopfronts and stoning police who blocked their path. Eventually, they were dispersed by tear gas.http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gNVYBM5Ty-bCuSL_U2thjnazb5IQD8V234C80 Bosnian Serbs Try to Storm US Consulate AP/Google 2008-02-26 2008-02-27 June 2016 medicmedic Montenegro On October 9, 2008, Montenegro recognized Kosovo's independence. This move by the Montenegrin government, opposed by many in the country, led to a protest rally in Podgorica on October 13 attended by over 20,000 people. The rally, held in front of the Parliament of Montenegro building, was organized by the Serb List, Socialist People's Party of Montenegro, People's Party, Democratic Serb Party of Montenegro, and other opposition parties. It was backed by Movement for Changes and the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and Metropolitan Amfilohije Radović was announced as speaker.http://www.mtsmondo.com/news/vesti/text.php?vest%3D112504 Incidenti na protestu u Podgorici (VIDEO) :: Mondo 2008-10-19 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081016050511/http://www.mtsmondo.com/news/vesti/text.php?vest=112504 2008-10-16 Demonstrators demanded that the Montenegrin government and Prime Minister Milo Đukanović rescind their recognition of Kosovo. They waved Serbian flags, chanting "Kosovo is Serbia" and other slogans against the prime minister and his cabinet, calling them ustashas and shiptars. At the end of the rally, riots broke out and small groups attacked riot police in front of the parliament building. The rioters were eventually driven back by police, and 28 people were arrested and 34 were injured. The pro-Serbian opposition planned a second protest on 16 October, but the Montenegrin police said that no protests from the opposition would be accepted.RTS, Neredi u PodgoriciMTS mondo, Crna Gora: Policija zabranjuje nove skupove!MTS mondo, Incidenti na protestu u Podgorici Diaspora Serbs protesting in Vienna (left) and London (right) in February, 2008. 200 Kosovo is serbia protest in vienna 2.jpg 200 Demonstracije u Londonu 23.02.2008 - 05.jpg Protests were also held in diaspora communities, such as in London (23 February), Vienna (24 February), and by Serbian students in Brussels on 28 February.Serbs protest in Brussels http://www.serbianinstitute.org/Media-Corner-Details.29+M5f9bb403336.0.html?&tx_ttnews%5Bd.. 2016-05-13 2016-11-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20161104095257/http://www.serbianinstitute.org/Media-Corner-Details.29+M5f9bb403336.0.html?&tx_ttnews%5bd.. dead See also 2008 unrest in Kosovo, following the declaration References 30em External links Kosovo is Serbia rally Kosovo is Serbia (2008 Kostunica speech) Kosovo is Serbia (Kostunica's speech at the rally) Belgrade Riots - Photo Essays, TIME.com, February 21, 2008 In pictures: Belgrade rally, BBC News, February 21, 2008 Protests Category:2008 riots Category:Independence of Kosovo Category:2008 protests Category:Protests in Serbia Category:Kosovo–Serbia relations Category:Riots and civil disorder in Serbia Category:February 2008 in Europe Category:2000s political riots