"Individuals and groups planned attacks on Kosovo leaders"

"Individuals and groups planned attacks on Kosovo leaders"

According to a statement, cited by local media, "several individuals and their groups with links to groups and individuals from other countries" have been discovered.

They are "oriented towards destabilizing Kosovo and endangering the constitutional order."

Earlier in the day, Kosovo-based electronic media said that a suspect, R.A., was arrested in the town of Pec for using social media to "call for terrorist attacks."

Also earlier on Friday, US embassies in Tirana and Pristina issued "a security message" to US citizens, urging "heightened caution during religious holidays."

According to the warning, US citizens should exercise "particular caution during upcoming religious holidays and at large festivals or events."

"Terrorists in the region have previously sought to attack soft targets, to include churches and other places of worship, pedestrian malls, sports arenas, concert halls, and public gatherings," the message said, adding:

"Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security."

The message, posted on the websites of the embassies, also instructs US citizens what to do if a terrorist attack occurs.

Deputy Kosovo Interior Minister Milan Radojevic told Tanjug that the police there were implementing "a special operative plan" during the holiday.

He specified that all members of the Kosovo police who were on vacation have been ordered to return to work, and that all officers now work 12 instead of 8 hour shifts.

Members of the police in Kosovo are also banned from going on vacation until further notice, Radojevic said.

He neither denied nor confirmed that the reason was either the possibility of terrorist attacks in Kosovo, or of protests organized by opposition parties unhappy that an agreement on demarcation with Montenegro was back on the agenda of the Assembly.

The police in Albania also announced that they stepped up security ahead of Easter.

Additional police will be deployed in front of churches and other shrines, in the streets and at border crossings in order to prevent "criminal events... and events of terrorist character."

It is not clear why security has been increased or if there has been any warning, AP said in its report.