The American authorities have warned their citizens to avoid the capital’s central square today where protests are expected following a guilty verdict for two Croatian generals tried in The Hague.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has sentenced Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac to 24 and 18 years in prison, respectively, for crimes against humanity during Operation Storm, a military action that reclaimed parts of the Serb-occupied Croatia in 1995. The third general on trial Ivan Cermak was aquitted.

Even though many Croatians were hopeful the generals would be released following the verdict, those less optimistic had scheduled tomorrow’s protests in advance. Gotovina is largely regarded as a hero in his home country.

The lawyers of the men on trial have said their clients do not support any protests, but have allegedly welcomed a walk organised by groups of veterans yesterday (Thur), which included a prayer.

Americans have been advised to stay clear of the square as demonstrations announced as peaceful could potentially turn violent, the daily Jutarnji List writes.