Six Jailed in Macedonia over Ethnic Albanian Protests

A Macedonian court on Wednesday sentenced six ethnic Albanians to three years in prison each for their role in violent protests that fanned ethnic tensions in the former Yugoslav republic.

The six took part in the protest against life sentences given in a murder trial to another six fellow ethnic Albanians, who had been found guilty of murdering five Macedonian fishermen in 2012.

The July 4 protest of some 2,000 ethnic Albanians turned into clashes with Macedonian police that fired tear gas and water cannon at the protesters who pelted the court building with stones, smashing several windows. 

Some 20 policemen and several demonstrators were injured in the violence. 

The defendants' attorneys said they would appeal the verdict.

Macedonia, whose 25 percent out of two-million people strong population are ethnic Albanians, has a history of inter-ethnic violence.

Relations have been tense since a seven-month rebellion by ethnic Albanians in 2001 that ended with a peace deal giving greater rights to the minority.