The Organization of War Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVL-UÇK) has called on veterans and the public to remain calm and restrained ahead of the September 16 verdict in the case against former KLA leaders at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
Gazmend Syla, deputy head of the OVL-UÇK, told KosovaPress that the organization had no information indicating that the security situation was likely to deteriorate on the day of the verdict.
Syla’s comments came after the U.S. Embassy in Prishtina issued a security alert warning of large demonstrations expected on September 16. The embassy advised U.S. government personnel to avoid unnecessary travel near demonstration areas and recommended that they not send their children to school that day.
Syla said the veterans’ organization did not expect an escalation and stressed that it had urged its members to remain peaceful.
“We have no information about a possible deterioration of the situation. We have called on veterans to remain calm and restrained,” Syla said.
He also appealed for calm among Kosovo’s Serb community, particularly if the verdict were to be unfavorable to the former KLA leaders.
Syla said there were reports that celebrations connected to Serbia’s national flag day could extend into September 16, and called on Kosovo Serbs not to provoke tensions.
“Every other decision, for us, will be unacceptable and we will oppose it as far as permitted by the law and Constitution, but not in a way that harms our state,” Syla said.
The OVL-UÇK has maintained that it would accept no outcome other than the acquittal and release of former President Hashim Thaçi, former Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli and former KLA commanders Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four have denied the charges against them.
Security measures intensified
The U.S. warning comes as Kosovo institutions and international security missions prepare for possible demonstrations surrounding the verdict.
Kosovo Police has announced enhanced security measures for September 16 as part of institutional planning aimed at maintaining public order and protecting citizens.
Police also held a coordination meeting with international partners on Monday, including KFOR, EULEX, representatives of the U.S. Embassy, the EU Office in Kosovo and the OSCE.
Arben Fetoshi, director of the organization Octapus, said the increased security measures should not be interpreted as an indication that authorities are anticipating a particular verdict.
“I do not think this is a prejudgment of the verdict, but increased caution about what could happen on September 16,” Fetoshi said.
He warned that Kosovo should remain alert to the possibility of provocations and attempts at destabilization, including through what he described as Serbia’s hybrid strategy.
Fetoshi argued that security institutions should coordinate closely and remain prepared for potential attempts to provoke incidents.
Debate over possible verdict
Fetoshi also said he did not expect a guilty verdict against the former KLA leaders, arguing that such an outcome would have wider implications for interpretations of the 1998–1999 Kosovo war.
He claimed that a conviction would reinforce narratives promoted by Serbia and Russia concerning the alleged criminalization of the KLA and criticism of NATO’s intervention in Kosovo.
His assessment is a political interpretation rather than a statement of the court’s position. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers is an independent judicial institution, and the verdict will determine the defendants’ legal responsibility based on the evidence and applicable law.
The September 16 ruling has generated heightened political and public attention in Kosovo, with authorities urging citizens to remain calm and rely on official information as security preparations continue.
