France has urged its citizens in Kosovo to exercise increased vigilance on September 16, warning them to stay away from political gatherings and avoid non-essential travel across the country.
According to an alert issued by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, large political gatherings are expected to take place in cities across Kosovo beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
“Gatherings – Call for vigilance. On September 16, starting at 10:00 a.m., large political gatherings are planned in all cities of Kosovo. French nationals are advised to stay away from these gatherings,” the ministry said.
French citizens have also been advised to avoid non-essential travel within cities and across Kosovo until the end of the day.
The warning was issued as a “last-minute” travel alert and supplements France’s existing security guidance for Kosovo, which already advises French nationals to exercise caution around demonstrations and political gatherings, particularly in Prishtina.
The September 16 date coincides with the scheduled verdict at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague in the case against former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
French authorities have not stated that the planned gatherings pose a specific threat, but the advisory urges citizens to limit their exposure to large crowds and unnecessary movement while political activity is expected to increase.
