Several Serbs in northern Kosovo marked the birthday of Milan Radoičić, the leader of the armed group responsible for the Banjska attack, with celebrations on Friday night.
A video of the event circulated on Serbian nationalist Telegram groups, including “Koridor,” which shared images and footage from the gathering. “Leposaviq congratulates the commander! No surrender,” read a message accompanying the posts. The video shows fireworks set off above an image of Radoičić with the caption “Happy Birthday, Commander.”
In September 2024, Kosovo’s Special Prosecution filed an indictment against Radoičić and 44 others for the terrorist attack in Banjska, Zvečan, on September 24, 2023. The attack resulted in the death of Kosovo Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, while three Serbian militants were also killed in the ensuing clashes. The remaining assailants fled to Serbia.
Radoičić later claimed responsibility for orchestrating the attack. He was briefly detained in Serbia but remains free, despite being charged by Serbian prosecutors with conspiracy, illegal possession of weapons, and serious threats to public security.
