The Kosovo police on June 12 arrested the leader of the Self-Determination movement, Albin Kurti, who now faces a trial for demonstrations held on Feb. 10, 2007, when two participants died and several dozens of people ended up injured.

Police spokesman Baki Kelani told BETA that Kurti was arrested around 3 p.m. in an office in Pristina, adding that another five activists were taken in on that occasion.

Kelani said that in the action of Kurti's arrest, the activists punctured the tires on four Kosovo Police vehicles
and also demolished two vehicles belonging to EULEX.

Kurti was detained, and it is up to the judge to determine when he will be taken before the court, Kelani added.

The Self-Determination representatives stated that the police conducted the arrest action brutally.

Kelani said that the police was coerced to use force and tear gas. He added that 12 policemen were injured in the action, as well as three movement activists.

Due to his failure to answer court summons, Kurti's trial was delayed a dozen times, and he is accused of organizing the demonstrations that later turned to violence.

Two demonstrators died and 80 people were injured when the Romanian police unit of UNMIK intervened at the demonstrations.

EULEX assessed that the delay in Kurti's trial shows weaknesses in the Kosovo judiciary which must be removed.

Some 64 NGOs from Kosovo rose in Kurti's defense, forming a group to collect signatures for a petition against his trial, which was so far supported by over 175,000 citizens.

The Self-Determination activists announced that they will organize a protest in Pristina on June 21 against the
trial of their leader.