It has been more than a year since Milan Radoičić, along with a group of Serbs, carried out an attack in the village of Banjska. It’s also been that long since he publicly admitted to being involved and leading the assault. Since then, Serbia has questioned him but allowed him to go free. However, just a few days ago, a statement by Serbia’s chief prosecutor revived the case of the leader of the attack in northern Kosovo.
The European Union (EU) is aware of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade’s announcement that a decision regarding the indictment of Milan Radoičić will be made soon. This was confirmed to Radio Free Europe by Brussels, which reiterated its expectation for Serbia to ensure full accountability for the perpetrators of the attack in Banjska.
Anitta Hipper, the EU spokesperson, stressed that this means Serbia should proceed with a criminal investigation and ensure the perpetrators in Serbia are brought to trial while fully cooperating in the investigation of the Banjska attack.
On December 2, Serbia’s Chief Public Prosecutor, Nenad Stefanović, stated that a decision to indict Radoičić, who took responsibility for the terrorist attack on Kosovo’s police in Banjska, would be made by the end of this year or the beginning of 2025.
This announcement came just one day after Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti urged the international community to pressure Belgrade for the extradition of the former deputy leader of the Serbian List, Kosovo’s largest Serbian party.
However, in Serbia, these declarations from the chief prosecutor are met with skepticism. Predrag Petrović from the Belgrade-based Center for Security Policy states that the possibility of an indictment against Radoičić seems unrealistic at the moment.
“Firstly, because Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as a state, and secondly, because of Radoičić himself and what he might know about the politics and activities of (President Aleksandar) Vučić’s government in Kosovo,” Petrović said.
Strahinja Subotić from the Center for Contemporary Politics also pointed out that Serbia’s disregard for such a significant issue could harm the country.
“Serbia must prosecute those responsible to satisfy member states that believe leaving such an unresolved matter could lead to further complications,” Subotić told RFE.
Belgrade’s decision to consider an indictment against Milan Radoičić comes more than a year after the investigation into the Banjska attack began.
This decision regarding a potential indictment follows the September 2023 attack in Banjska, where a Kosovar police officer was killed, and it also coincides with the EU’s decision to potentially unblock Serbia’s EU accession talks.
Chief Prosecutor Nenad Stefanović stated on December 2 for “Kosovo Online” that over 40 procedural actions have been undertaken during the investigation into the events in Banjska.
However, Serbian lawyer Božo Prelević expressed his doubts about whether an indictment would actually be filed against Radoičić.
“The decision could be to bring charges, or it could be to not bring them,” said Prelević.
“This decision is usually made after analyzing the evidence in the case files. Since the case is closed to the public, we don’t know what evidence the prosecutor has or who has been heard,” he added.
The Serbian Prosecutor’s Office did not respond to RFE’s questions regarding what the investigation has found or what actions have been taken.
Serbia suspects Radoičić of “a serious crime against general security, as well as the illegal production, possession, and trafficking of weapons.”
On the other hand, Kosovo considers the Banjska attack as a terrorist act, with Radoičić and others involved being linked to violations of Kosovo’s constitutional order and actions against its legal system.
Following a hearing in Belgrade in October 2023, Radoičić was released with a travel ban and an obligation to report to the police station on the first and fifteenth of each month.
The High Court confirmed that this measure has been postponed until January 2025 and that Radoičić “complies” with it.
However, it remains unclear where Radoičić currently resides in Serbia.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs did not respond regarding which police station he reports to.
On the morning of September 24, 2023, Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed, Police Officer Alban Rashiti was injured, and another officer was hurt in an organized attack by a group in Banjska, Zvečan.
The attack was condemned by both national and international leaders, who called for the perpetrators to face justice.
The entire incident began when two unmarked trucks were placed at the entrance of Banjska, blocking access via the bridge. A police patrol that noticed the barricade alerted other colleagues, and among those who joined them on site was Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, who was killed in the line of duty.
Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, released footage of Milan Radoičić, deputy leader of the Serbian List, who is also on the U.S. and UK sanctions list. He is seen in Banjska Monastery with other attackers. On December 7, 2023, INTERPOL issued a warrant for his arrest, but he remains at large.
On September 28, 2023, Kosovo’s Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the attack in Banjska. A similar resolution was adopted by the European Parliament on October 19, 2023.
Radoičić, the leader of the criminal group, took responsibility for the Banjska attack on September 29.
