Dragan J. Vučićević, editor-in-chief of the Serbian pro-government television channel Informer, interrupted a live programme to react to reports that the High Council of Public Prosecutors is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the decision not to place Milan Radoičić in pre-trial detention following the terrorist attack in Banjska, Kosovo.
A report published by the Serbian news outlet Nova stated that the case involving controversial businessman Milan Radoičić, identified as the principal organiser of the armed attack in Banjska, is under review by the High Council of Public Prosecutors. The news prompted an immediate reaction on Informer television.
The outlet’s editor-in-chief, Dragan J. Vučićević, interrupted the programme to read the report, describing it as shocking.
He subsequently interpreted the review as an attempt to arrest Radoičić, portraying him as a Serbian national hero.
“Essentially, let me translate this into Serbian – they want to arrest the Serbian hero, Milan Radoičić. Today, we are all Milan Radoičić. Today they arrest him, tomorrow they will arrest us,” Vučićević declared.
His deputy, Dejan Vukelić, also intervened, claiming that these developments were a clear indication that Kosovo was being recognised.
According to Nova, the five-member High Council of Public Prosecutors is also reviewing the decision not to remand Radoičić in custody following his questioning at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade in connection with the armed confrontation in Banjska.
Particular attention is being paid to the circumstances under which pre-trial detention was not requested, despite the seriousness of the offences he is suspected of committing.
The Serbian outlet Nova had previously reported that prosecutor Nikola Pantelić, who has since been promoted to the position of Chief Prosecutor at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Pančevo, cited only the risk of flight in his proposal concerning Radoičić’s detention as a circumstance that could obstruct the proceedings.
According to the report, the prosecutor did not rely on three other circumstances that could have justified pre-trial detention: the risk of reoffending, the possibility of influencing witnesses and the potential disturbance of public order.
Why these circumstances were not included in the detention request is also expected to form part of the Council’s review.
Radoičić and the Banjska Attack
Following the armed attack in Banjska on 24 September 2023, Milan Radoičić publicly accepted responsibility for organising the armed group involved in the incident.
After questioning at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, the prosecutor requested that Radoičić be placed in pre-trial detention for up to 30 days.
The request also referred to the fact that Radoičić had occasionally stayed outside his place of residence for periods exceeding 90 days without reporting his absence.
The review of the decision not to place him in detention has now triggered reactions in Serbian pro-government media, where Vučićević portrayed the development as a threat not only to Radoičić but also to those who support him.
Kosovo has accused Serbia of being behind the Banjska attack, while the official authorities in Belgrade have denied the allegations.
Of the 45 individuals charged by Kosovo’s justice system in connection with the Banjska attack, three have been convicted. The remaining defendants, including Radoičić, remain at large and are believed to be in Serbia.
Kosovo has issued several arrest warrants for Radoičić, who is also under sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Kingdom over alleged links to international organised crime.
