PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - Hundreds of opposition supporters gathered Tuesday in the Kosovo capital demanding justice for an activist who died in custody three years ago.
The left-wing Self-Determination Movement, or Vetevendosje, held a peaceful protest in Pristina for Astrit Dehari, 26, who died in November 2016. Prosecutors reopened their investigation into Dehari’s death after a report last week from Swiss forensic experts said it was likely a homicide, not a suicide.
Dehari was arrested for his alleged involvement in a rocket-propelled grenade attack on Parliament in August 2016, which caused damage but no casualties.
Albin Kurti of Vetevendosje, who is expected to become the next Kosovo prime minister after winning the Oct. 6 snap election, asked for an independent investigation and for appropriate officials to be held accountable.
Before the rally, Dehari’s family, Vetevendosje leaders and supporters paid tribute to the activist at a cemetery. Other memorial ceremonies were held in western Prizren town, where he died in prison. Pristina townhall suspended work for five minutes.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.