Kosovo Braces for Independence Day Turmoil

Opposition parties have announced a major protest for Wednesday as state institutions plan a series of celebratory events marking eight years of Kosovo's independence.

The Vetevendosje [Self-Determination] Movement, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK, and Nisma have called on people to gather in Pristina's main square on Wednesday to demand the resignation of Isa Mustafa's government.

Vetevendosje MP Albin Kurti said the rally would be a "protest of liberation" and condemned Tuesday's arrests of several Vetevendosje officials and activists.

"One day ahead of the protest, the establishment is panicking through every state apparatus," he said.

"These are fascist methods which seek to weaken the protest. If this is what they want, these arrests are overdue because this protest will break even the January 9 record," Kurti added.

The last major protest on January 9 saw from 20,000 to 40,000 participants on the streets, although the police downplayed the numbers to no more than 8,000.

Vetevendosje has announced that eight of its activists have been arrested in relation to a stunt in 2009, when several of them were charged with damaging EULEX vehicles. 

The opposition said Wednesday's protest would be peaceful. However, ever since the government signed two controversial agreements with Montenegro on border demarcation and with Serbia on the creation of an association of Serb-majority municipalities, not a single protest in Pristina has ended without violence.

The January 9 rally saw some protesters clashing with the police and setting ablaze a corner of the government building.

Police said they have taken all the measures needed to ensure a safe environment for citizens attending the independence day...