The number of individuals involved in the preparation and execution of the attack in Banjska is believed to be significantly higher than the 44 suspects currently charged by the Special Prosecution. For this reason, institutions have been advised to pay close attention to Serbia’s security structures, including those operating outside northern Kosovo.
During 2023 and 2024, Kosovo faced serious terrorist attacks in Banjska and Varagë, yet not all individuals involved in planning and carrying out these attacks have been arrested or indicted.
According to assessments by the Kosovo Center for Security Studies (QKSS), Kosovo’s institutions must remain vigilant toward parallel security structures.
The Director of QKSS, Mentor Vrajolli, stated that the number of people involved in the Banjska attack exceeds those currently charged by prosecutors.
“What remains for Kosovo’s institutions is to ensure that individuals operating within Kosovo’s territory with the aim of undermining the security sector are dealt with appropriately. Especially the Banjska group, which I believe is broader than those directly involved in the Banjska incident,” Vrajolli said.
He added that Kosovo’s security institutions must also monitor Serbian security structures that are not limited to the north.
“Efforts must be continuous, because these structures will attempt to reconsolidate. Whenever a vacuum is created, they can reorganize—whether in the north or in other parts of the country. It does not mean that only the north serves as a haven for these structures. Greater attention must also be paid to other municipalities which are largely integrated but have been left outside the focus of institutions,” Vrajolli emphasized.
Regarding the Viqentijeviq brothers, who are accused of the terrorist attack on the Ibër-Lepenc canal, the Special Prosecution claims they were linked to Serbian security structures.
According to prosecutors, Jovan Viqentijeviq is allegedly part of Serbia’s Military Intelligence Agency (VBA), while Dragiša Viqentijeviq was allegedly a member of Civil Protection.
The indictment states that after his arrest, while being transported to Pristina, Jovan Viqentijeviq mentioned five individuals from Zubin Potok and five former Kosovo police officers who were allegedly trained at the Serbian military training ground “Pasuljanske Livade.”
“According to the defendant Jovan Viqentijeviq, several individuals from the Zubin Potok area also took part in the attack and clashes in the village of Banjska, Zvečan, on 24 September 2023,” the indictment regarding the Ibër-Lepenc terrorist attack states.
Based on the indictment, the defendant claimed that around 120 individuals participated in training involving infantry tactics, long firearms, heavy machine guns, mortars, C4 explosives, and dynamite.
However, the likelihood that this statement will be used against him in court is low, as it was given without the presence of his lawyer. In the indictment, prosecutors note that the defendant did not repeat these claims in the presence of legal counsel and chose to remain silent, reports Koha.net, relayed by Rks News.
