Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić has responded to Kosovo’s request for the extradition of Milan Radoičić, a suspect in recent terrorist activities.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Dačić stated that Serbia does not have direct relations with Kosovo, making it impossible to consider the extradition request.
“I don’t know if you understand that Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, and this is absolutely impossible. We do not have direct relations with Kosovo representatives. Everything we do is through EULEX, and we have requested forms for that process. No extradition within Serbia is possible,” said Dačić.
Radoičić has claimed responsibility for the September 24 attack in Banjskë, Zveçan, where armed Serbian groups attacked the Kosovo police, resulting in the death of officer Afrim Bunjaku.
In the subsequent armed clashes, three Serbian attackers were also killed.
In a public letter read by his lawyer on September 29, 2023, Radoičić stated that he personally organized the armed rebellion in northern Kosovo.
He denied any responsibility of Serbian state authorities in the attack.
Radoičić, a former vice-president of the Serbian List in Kosovo, was interrogated by the Serbian Prosecutor’s Office in October and charged with several offenses, including arms trafficking and endangerment of public safety.
However, the court in Belgrade released him from detention but confiscated his documents.
Kosovo authorities have held the Serbian state leadership responsible for the attack, raising concerns about regional stability, while Serbia has denied involvement and pointed the finger at Kosovo Serbs.
INTERPOL has issued a warrant for Radoičić’s arrest.
