Following the sentencing of three individuals for the 2023 Banjska terrorist attack, Kosovo Police Director General Gazmend Hoxha has welcomed the court’s decision but warned that the mission to achieve full justice remains unfinished. In an exclusive interview with KosovaPress, Hoxha emphasized that while the life sentences for Blagoje Spasojević and Vladimir Tolić are a significant step, the masterminds sheltered in Serbia must still face the law.
Director Hoxha’s remarks highlight the security sector’s perspective on what he described as the “most serious attack on Kosovo’s statehood since the war.”
A Fair Verdict, but a Pending Arrest List
Hoxha characterized the judicial process in Prishtina as fair and transparent, reflecting the maturity of Kosovo’s institutions. However, he was quick to point out that the “ghosts” of the attack remain at large.
“Justice does not receive its full verdict without the punishment of everyone who participated in the battle of Banjska,” Hoxha stated. “They were a terrorist group led by Radoičić and supported—financially, through training, and politically—by the Government of Serbia.”
The Director’s Primary Objectives:
- International Pressure: Hoxha called for intensified pressure from the international community on Belgrade to extradite the remaining 42 suspects.
- No Sanctuary for Radoičić: He insisted that the process is not complete until Milan Radoičić, the self-confessed leader of the group, is “behind bars” in Prishtina.
September 24: Defeating a Partition Scenario
Reflecting on the day of the attack, Hoxha described it as a direct assault on Kosovo’s sovereignty with the goal of territorial annexation. He praised the tactical victory of the Kosovo Police, who military and politically defeated the paramilitary group in the field.
- Institutional Maturity: The Director noted that by clearing the terrain and arresting the suspects now facing sentencing, the police restored total control over the northern region and prevented a “new reality” of terrorist rule.
- The Toll of the Attack: The ambush claimed the life of Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku and wounded officers Çlirim Sahiti, Mirsad Kryeziu, and Sedat Dushi.
A Message to the Families and the Force
In a poignant message to the family of the late Sergeant Bunjaku and his injured colleagues, Hoxha framed the court’s decision as a form of moral satisfaction.
“We lost a sergeant, but we gained a hero. Heroes never die; they will always be in our memory,” he said. Addressing his officers currently on duty, he added: “Continue to work with honor… we have no second country to go to. This is our Kosovo, and we must ensure it is safer for future generations.”
Timeline of Justice in Prishtina
| Milestone | Date | Status |
| Terrorist Attack | Sept 24, 2023 | Sergeant Bunjaku killed. |
| Indictment Filed | Sept 11, 2024 | 45 individuals charged. |
| Trial Verdict | April 24, 2026 | 2 life sentences, 1 for 30 years. |
| Next Steps | Ongoing | Pursuit of 42 fugitives via Interpol. |
The verdict, delivered by Judge Ngadhnjim Arrni, marks the end of the first chapter of the Banjska trial. However, for Director Hoxha and the Prishtina security apparatus, the focus now shifts entirely to the international warrants and the diplomatic battle to bring the “Radoičić group” out of their safe haven in Serbia.
