Serbia will request that EULEX hand over documentation related to the Banjska incident. However, Kosovo’s government sees this as an unacceptable and deliberate tactic by the Serbian state, and thus, the request will be rejected. EULEX has also responded to TV1’s inquiry.
On October 3, 2023, the Serbian High Prosecutor’s Office was presented with the case.
Calm and unrestrained, Milan Radoicic took responsibility for a terrorist attack. The incident in question occurred on September 23 in Banjska, Zvečan, where Kosovo Police Officer Afrim Bunjaku was killed.
One year later, it seems that an indictment is being prepared against Radoicic in Serbia. However, Serbia has turned to EULEX to obtain full documentation from Kosovo regarding this case.
Kosovo’s government is expected to once again reject this request.
In a statement to TV1, Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Albulena Haxhiu, emphasized that the attack took place on the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.
Therefore, the only authority responsible for handling the case is Kosovo itself.
“I responded to Serbia a few months ago, and our position remains unchanged. What is important now is for pressure to be applied on Serbia to hand over the main terrorist. It is evident that Serbia is attempting to conduct a parallel investigation, which contradicts established practices, and this should be firmly opposed by international partners. Serbia’s actions are unacceptable and intentional. Therefore, it is important that this case is handled in the Republic of Kosovo because it occurred in Kosovo, and the only state responsible for this is the Republic of Kosovo,” Haxhiu stated.
According to Haxhiu, international actors must increase pressure on Serbia to surrender Radoicic to Kosovo.
“There is already an indictment from the Special Prosecutor’s Office for over 40 individuals, including the main terrorist, Milan Radoicic. We have carried out all our responsibilities as institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, as many of these individuals are also on Interpol’s wanted list. Serbia must hand over the main terrorist, Milan Radoicic, to the Republic of Kosovo, as well as the other terrorists involved in the Banjska attack,” she added.
TV1 also reached out to EULEX regarding the matter.
In their response, EULEX stated that Kosovo’s institutions bear full responsibility for the investigation into the violent events of September 24.
“We would like to remind you that the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo is responsible for facilitating requests for Mutual Legal Assistance between Kosovo and countries that do not recognize it, including Serbia. For questions related to Mutual Legal Assistance, we suggest contacting the EU Office in Pristina,” EULEX said in its response.
TV1 also contacted the European Union Office in Kosovo. However, by the time of publication, they had not yet responded.
