Security expert Drizan Shala has condemned the shooting and abduction of Milan Vukashinović inside Kosovo by the Serb gendarmerie, calling it a flagrant violation of Kosovo’s sovereignty and an attempt by Serbia to create cross-border tensions, reports Ekonomia Online.
Shala stated in an interview that the incident on 1 November surpasses previous abductions:
“In the past, there were kidnappings of Kosovo Police officials, but the situation has now escalated with actions by the Serbian side targeting Kosovo. This is a blatant violation of the border order, allowing a state to shoot or wound a Kosovo citizen on Kosovo territory. This is alarming – the weapon or bullet of a foreign state crossed into Kosovo, resulting in the victim being critically injured, according to preliminary information from the victim’s lawyer.”
Shala also noted that Vukashinović had previously been targeted by groups led by the terrorist Milan Radoičić.
“If the victim dies or cannot survive the injuries, it clearly shows Serbia’s ongoing intent to create cross-border incidents. The victim had previously been targeted with explosives placed in his vehicle by Radoičić’s groups. There are many circumstances and elements that need to be analyzed to understand the Serbian actions against Kosovo citizens,” Shala explained.
According to Shala, Vukashinović was allegedly contacted by a member of the Serbian army under the pretext of buying honey.
“Preliminary information suggests the shooting occurred on Kosovo territory, in the so-called ‘zero point’ – the extreme part of the territory separating Kosovo and Serbia, patrolled by KFOR and the Kosovo Police. The victim reportedly moved within Serbian territory after being contacted by a Serbian army member, allegedly regarding the honey purchase,” he said.
Shala emphasized the need for full investigations to clarify the motives and responsibility of Serbian forces:
“This must be analyzed thoroughly, as it does not correspond with official statements. The Kosovo Police may have additional information about the victim’s true mission – whether it involved smuggling or contact with another person. If he was wounded by Serbian gendarmerie forces, questions arise regarding the army member’s role, accountability, and whether intelligence monitored the action. International mechanisms, including KFOR, must demand accountability for the gendarmerie’s actions, which likely occurred inside Kosovo,” he added.
Kosovo institutions have accused Serbia of violating territorial integrity, following reports that on 1 November, a Kosovo citizen of Serbian nationality, M.V., was wounded and abducted by the Serb gendarmerie in Leposaviq.
The Kosovo Police stated the incident occurred in the “zero point” near Leposaviq, a majority-Serb area, and are coordinating closely with KFOR, which confirmed awareness of the incident and reported that the border area remains calm.
“The Kosovo Police, through its Organized Crime and Serious Crimes Directorate, has begun an investigation, interviewing witnesses who confirmed that masked individuals entered Kosovo territory, wounded, and abducted the victim, later transferring him to Serbia. Witnesses say he was transported by ambulance towards Niš, Serbia,” the police said in a statement.
This incident has raised serious concerns about cross-border security and the sovereignty of Kosovo, highlighting the need for international oversight and accountability.
