Aleksandar Arsenijevic: A Controversial Catalyst in Kosovo’s Political Turmoil

RKS NEWS
RKS NEWS 13 Min Read
13 Min Read

Aleksandar Arsenijeviq (Aco), leader of the Civic Initiative ‘Serbian Survival’ turned political party ‘Serbian Democracy’, is suspected to have been involved with the group that orchestrated an armed attack against NATO peacekeeping forces in 2023, as reported by The Frontliner Magazine. Evidence implicates Aco as a distributor and main propagator of disinformation and destabilization in northern Kosovo, despite being portrayed in Kosovo media as a critic of Serbian power and Putin.

In a revealing interview in 2022 with Kosovo media, Aleksandar Arsenijeviq, the formidable leader of the Civic Initiative ‘Serbian Survival’ turned political party ‘Serbian Democracy’, sharply criticized the notion that Russia’s aggressive tactics in Ukraine could destabilize the Balkans. Arsenijeviq, a chemistry professor pushed out of academia due to his bold political expressions, boldly declared Russian President Vladimir Putin powerless to influence Serbia, mocking that Putin couldn’t even “send two liters of fuel to Serbia”. Despite his disappointment with Russian influence in the region, he expressed deep concern for the conflict in Ukraine, which he termed “the most devastating event of the 21st century and a wound on modern civilization”, reflecting on its serious implications for Balkan stability.

Furthermore, Arsenijeviq didn’t shy away from criticizing the Serbian leadership, openly accusing President Aleksandar Vucic of deceiving the Serbs of Kosovo, a community often caught in a whirlwind of political instability and divided loyalties. Born in Pristina in 1992 and residing in northern Mitrovica and Zvecan, Arsenijeviq, a distinguished master’s student in chemistry and current law student, has transitioned from academia and hospitality to a more confrontational role in regional politics. His journey from President of the Student Parliament at the Faculty of Natural Sciences to the founding leader of ‘Serbian Democracy’ underscores his significant trajectory in advocating for Serbian resilience in the Balkans.

However, a recent investigation by The Frontliner Magazine in the Mitrovica region, a contentious area bordering Serbia, paints a more complex portrait of Arsenijeviq. Locally known as “Aco Ludi” (“Crazy Aco”), Arsenijeviq elicits various reactions among the Serbian residents of northern Kosovo. When asked about the pseudonym, responses range from nervous laughter to bitter descriptions, indicating a divisive figure in local politics. Adding to his complex public persona, Arsenijeviq also goes by “Aco_Sfens” on social media platforms.

These findings reveal a man who is as enigmatic as he is outspoken, living in a region where geopolitical tensions often mirror the complexity of its leaders. Ahead of the April referendum on whether local Serbs support the removal of current ethnic Albanian mayors to hold new local elections, “The Frontliner Magazine” editor-in-chief Vudi Zhemshiti visited Mitrovica, a city in northern Kosovo, to assess the spiritual condition.

“During my walk around the city, I came across ‘Sfens Caffe Pub’, located near the Faculty of Technical and Natural Sciences. Interested in its ownership, I inquired around, but the answers were elusive; locals whispered names like ‘Dejan’ and ‘Aco’ in silence, while others quickly shut me down,” he recounts.

Danijel (Dejan) Djukic, identified through a phone found at the crime scene, is a member of the ‘Civil Defense’, declared a terrorist organization by the government.

In the photo here with the son of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Djukic and his brother are wanted in Kosovo for drug trafficking and their involvement in a recent attack.

The web of intrigue deepens around Aleksandar Arsenijeviq, a prominent critic of Kosovar authorities, as investigative efforts uncover layered connections within the local Serbian community. Arsenijeviq, known locally as “Aco,” is linked to the “Sfens Caffe Pub,” an institution reportedly currently or previously managed by him. The current owner, Danijel (Dejan) Djukic, is involved in a broader narrative of regional instability. Djukic, a fugitive, is implicated in the September 2023 Banjska Attacks orchestrated by Milan Radoicic of the Serbian List party, positioning itself as a voice for the Serbian minority.

This connection complicates Arsenijeviq’s repeated descriptions in social media of Kosovo governance as repressive. Further complicating matters, Kosovar police have identified Djukic as a member of the “Civil Defense” organization, designated a terrorist entity by the government, linking him to the attack through evidence found at the crime scene. Djukic, also wanted for drug trafficking alongside his brother, has appeared in photographs with the son of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, intertwining political and criminal narratives in the troubled region.

Radoicic, along with other prominent figures from the Serbian List, is often seen with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at national security council meetings in Belgrade. The government in Pristina has accused Serbia of training, financing, and orchestrating attacks in Banjska, suggesting parallels with Russia’s annexation of Crimea. It seems Radoicic now enjoys what could be described as a shelter without consequences in Serbia.

In the investigation conducted by Xhymshiti on Aleksandar Arsenijeviq, a figure gaining importance in Kosovo and through media supported by Belgrade, he critically assesses his claims of representing Kosovo Serbs. Arsenijeviq is known for orchestrating incidents to provoke the Kosovo police to arrest him—a tactic he uses for political gain. In another video posted on his ‘X’ account, Arsenijeviq refers to the Kosovo police as “armed men.” This terminology seems to be a strategic choice, aiming to delicately undermine the legitimacy of Kosovo’s police force, aligning with his broader political narrative. His rhetoric mirrors the Serbian narrative from the late 1980s, supported by allies of Slobodan Milosevic, that Serbs are insecure under non-Serb rule, a stance that sparked devastating wars marked by scandalous war crimes, including genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as confirmed by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Observing similarities in Arsenijeviq’s narrative, where he positions himself as a democrat while leading “Serbian Democracy,” I find it necessary to draw public attention to his activities. Xhimshiti recalls that on the eve of the referendum, he made a statement to a Serbian-speaking television channel, asserting: “The situation is extremely bad. Will they later seize the land of our hosts and build bases in the north? They are already doing this. Will they arrest and beat people in the north? This is already happening. Will they implement institutional repression and violence against Serbs? Well, this is already happening. Will the decision on the dinar be revoked if the referendum is held? No, it will not happen,” said Aleksandar Arsenijeviq, president of Serbian Democracy.

Findings suggest that Arsenijeviq is not merely a controversial figure; he appears to be a key component in a broader agenda driven by Serbian operations linked to the Kremlin. Alarmingly, Aleksandar Arsenijeviq has managed to secure a selfie with several prominent American and German diplomats. His unclear stance on Kosovo’s democratic legitimacy raises serious concerns about his true allegiance. “Is he really advocating for his people, or is he just another obstacle in Serbia’s ongoing denial of Kosovo’s sovereignty?” asks correspondent Xhymshiti. In May 2023, months after Belgrade’s decision to align its foreign policy with Moscow, Aleksandar Arsenijeviq, commonly called Aco, is said to have been “among those who helped orchestrate an armed attack against NATO peacekeeping forces.” This violent incident resulted in considerable injuries, with at least 30 peacekeepers severely wounded and some requiring amputation due to gunshot wounds.

According to national and international intelligence sources expressing their concerns to The Frontliner Magazine, Aco’s name is whispered as one of those suspected of being involved in orchestrating the targeting of Kosovar law enforcement personnel and KFOR.

Arsenijeviq has consistently refrained from condemning Belgrade’s aggressive actions against Kosovo’s territorial and constitutional integrity. His silence on Kosovo police abductions by Serbian forces and his failure to reject Serbia’s constitutional claims over Kosovo are evident. He also has not spoken out against Russian-style attempts to annex northern Kosovo territories or the anti-constitutional, militant activities of the Serbian List, including their role in the attacks in Banjska.

Adding intrigue, intelligence sources provided The Frontliner Magazine with a photograph showing Arsenijeviq together with Marjan Radojevic, Blagoje Spasojevic, and Nemanja Stankovic, all implicated in the Banjska attacks. In the photo, Radojevic is the first on the left, Arsenijeviq himself second, Spasojevic third, and Stankovic on the right. Particularly, the first two have been arrested while Stankovic remains at large, wanted by Kosovar authorities on terrorism charges.

Discovery of Connections: This photograph, obtained by intelligence sources for The Frontliner Magazine, captures Aleksandar Arsenijevic (second from the left) with Marjan Radojevic (first from the left), Blagoje Spasojevic (third from the left), and Nemanja Stankovic (rightmost), all linked to the Banjska attacks. Particularly, Radojevic and Spasojevic are currently detained, while Stankovic remains at large, wanted on terrorism charges by Kosovar authorities.

After uncovering this evidence, Xhumshiti says he messaged Arsenijevic to request his email for an official investigation. “He read my message but didn’t respond. A follow-up text was sent four days later, on April 22, offering him another opportunity to address these serious allegations. Arsenijevic has chosen to remain silent, deepening questions about his activities and associations.”

According to Xhumshiti, his actions and inactions highlight his role in a narrative that portrays Serbs as victims and Kosovo as the aggressor—a revival of Milosevic’s deadly propaganda seeking to justify brutal acts against non-Serb populations in the Balkans. “Given this knowledge, it is essential to recognize Arsenijevic as a fundamental threat to national security—a wolf in sheep’s clothing, concealing his damaging intentions under the guise of victimhood.”

Xhimshiti says that as the veil is lifted from Aleksandar Arsenijevic’s covert relationships, the international community and Kosovo’s law enforcement agencies face crucial decisions. Arsenijevic’s facade of democracy subtly conceals his involvement in destabilizing maneuvers, raising an urgent question. “How long will such duplicitous actors be allowed to undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty under the guise of political advocacy? It is imperative for global and local authorities to intensify scrutiny and take decisive action against these threats to democratic integrity. Neutrality in the face of such deceptive tactics only serves to embolden those seeking to manipulate the political landscape for their own gains, jeopardizing the very foundations of peace and democracy in Kosovo.”

Share this Post
Leave a Comment