In the wake of recent arrests in Kosovo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has once again taken to the public stage to accuse Kosovo of waging a “terror” campaign against Serbs. However, his inflammatory rhetoric is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the involvement of Serbian state structures in promoting violence and terrorism in Kosovo.
The arrest of 16 individuals, including four active officers from Serbia’s security forces, in Gjakova and Prizren, marks a significant step in Kosovo’s efforts to crack down on groups with ties to terrorism and organized crime. According to Kosovo’s Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, these individuals were suspected of gathering intelligence and coordinating with groups linked to terrorism, specifically the Banjskë group involved in attacks in northern Kosovo. Despite this clear connection to criminal activities, Vučić has chosen to spin the narrative, labeling it as an attack on Serbs.
In a public statement, Vučić claimed that the arrests were part of an ongoing “terror” against Serbs, pointing to a broken axe and a knife found with the suspects as evidence of supposed abuse. “Imagine, some of these individuals are members of security structures, and then they find, they say, a knife and a broken axe,” Vučić argued, further claiming that this demonstrates the so-called “terror” against Serbs.
This statement is a classic case of propaganda designed to deflect attention from the real issue: Serbia’s complicity in supporting terrorist activities in Kosovo. The individuals arrested were not innocent civilians, but active operatives involved in organizing and supporting violent actions. Among them is Milan Radoičić, a key figure linked to the terrorist attack in Banjskë, and a known ally of Serbian intelligence networks. Radoičić, who has held key positions in the Serbian-backed List of Serbs in Kosovo, is one of the primary figures Vučić’s government has consistently failed to hold accountable.
By focusing on a broken axe and knife, Vučić is attempting to mislead the public into believing that these arrests are part of a larger campaign against ethnic Serbs, rather than acknowledging the reality of the situation: the Kosovo Police are acting to secure the country from further destabilization caused by Serbian-backed militants.
This is not the first time Vučić has attempted to manipulate the narrative surrounding Kosovo’s security situation. His rhetoric has long been characterized by attempts to paint any action taken by Kosovo authorities as part of a “persecution” of Serbs, all while his government continues to support individuals who are actively involved in terrorist activities in Kosovo. Vučić’s approach is part of a broader strategy to deflect blame, foster division, and protect those who seek to undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty.
Kosovo’s actions have been clear: they are protecting their citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, and ensuring that those involved in acts of violence and terrorism are held accountable. The arrest of individuals linked to the Banjskë attack, and the ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, should be seen as a commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
However, Vučić’s response is a deliberate effort to paint a false picture, one that portrays Serbia as the victim while deflecting from the actions of his own government and security forces. By defending individuals with ties to terrorist groups and attempting to portray their arrests as part of an ethnic campaign, Vučić is undermining efforts to bring peace and justice to Kosovo. His words, instead of promoting reconciliation, fuel further tensions and division.
It is clear that Vučić is not interested in fostering peace or stability in the region. His inflammatory rhetoric and defense of terrorists should be recognized for what they are: an attempt to rewrite the narrative and protect those who seek to destabilize Kosovo. The international community must not be fooled by Vučić’s attempts at propaganda, and must instead stand in support of Kosovo’s efforts to protect its sovereignty and the safety of all its citizens.
