Kosovo police arrest 5 suspected of Molotov cocktail attack on Turkish consulate

By bne IntelliNews November 29, 2016

The Kosovan authorities have detained five persons on suspicion of throwing Molotov cocktails at the Turkish consulate in the city of Prizren in the southern part of the country, a police statement said on November 28. There were no injuries and the attack caused only minor damage.

The motives for the attack are unknown. On November 28, Kosovo and Albania commemorated a Flag Day holiday marking the 104th anniversary of Albanian independence from the Ottoman Empire. However, Turkey is a large investor in Kosovo and has backed its independence from Serbia since its unilateral declaration of independence in 2008. 

According to local media, before the attack a group tore down Turkish flags that had been put up throughout the city. 

The arrests were based on surveillance camera coverage and witnesses’ testimony, and the suspects have been questioned and placed in custody for 48 hours, the police said. 

Kosovo’s authorities condemned the attack. Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj said in a statement, "The relations between Kosovo and Turkey are excellent and will not be damaged by any vandalism or isolated act." Kosovo’s government said in a statement that the attack "aims at damaging the Republic of Kosovo's image and also hurting its friendship with partner countries."

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