The terrorist attack on September 24, 2023, in Banjska was a topic of discussion at the Dubrovnik Summit, attended by US Assistant Secretary James O’Brien and the EU Special Envoy for Dialogue, Miroslav Lajčák.
O’Brien stated that Serbia has promised Milan Radoičić will face justice regarding the armed attack on Kosovo Police on September 24, 2023, which resulted in the death of a police officer and three Serbian attackers.
The US Assistant Secretary expressed his expectation that Serbia will fulfill this promise and ensure Radoičić undergoes a full legal process.
He also emphasized that the use of force to resolve issues should be ruled out, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in northern Kosovo.
“The US and the EU have consistently stated that the crimes committed in September [in Banjska] must be punished. We expect and believe we have been promised that Mr. Radoičić will go through a full legal process in Serbia. It is a positive development that he does not seem to be active in northern Kosovo as he was before, and we see positive benefits from this. He has been charged, and we expect the process against him to conclude,” O’Brien said.
EU Envoy Miroslav Lajčák emphasized the EU’s clear stance that all those who committed criminal acts in Banjska, Zvečan, must be held accountable and punished.
“The EU’s position has been formulated and is clear that those who committed the criminal acts in September 2024 must be held accountable. There is no immunity for them, and the EU reiterates this in bilateral meetings,” Lajčák said.
Serbia accuses Radoičić of purchasing weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices with high destructive power from Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from January 2023 until September 24. Authorities have banned him from entering Kosovo.
Kosovo authorities regard the attack in Banjska as an act of aggression and have blamed Serbia for being involved. Belgrade has denied any involvement.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has set the handover of Radoičić and his group to Kosovo’s judicial authorities as one of the conditions for engaging in dialogue with Serbia. The European Union has stated that Serbia has not shown willingness to accept this condition during the latest round of dialogue held on June 26.
