Kosovo citizens have been urged to remain calm and vigilant against disinformation and panic ahead of the September 16 verdict in the case involving former senior Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders in The Hague.
Authorities and public institutions have warned that politically and emotionally sensitive events can be exploited by malicious actors seeking to fuel panic, division and uncertainty in Kosovo.
According to the warning, attempts to undermine stability could take place along three main lines.
The first involves the spread of emotional or fabricated headlines designed to distort the content of the court’s decision before it is officially announced.
The second concerns attempts to inflame ethnic and political tensions in order to undermine public trust in Kosovo’s institutions and its international allies, particularly the United States and NATO.
The third involves the spread of economic rumors intended to create uncertainty and encourage panic buying.
Citizens have been urged to rely only on official and credible sources for information, including announcements from state institutions and reputable media outlets.
They have also been advised to think carefully before clicking on sensational headlines designed primarily to provoke an emotional reaction.
Authorities are further urging citizens not to contribute to the spread of unverified information on social media.
“Do not become part of the chain,” the warning says, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before sharing it.
The message concludes that Kosovo’s strongest protection against attempts to create instability is vigilance, calm and confidence in the country’s institutions.
The warning comes ahead of the September 16 verdict by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague in the case against former KLA leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
