Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has once again openly come out in defense of the organizer of the terrorist attack in Banjska, Milan Radoićić, stating that he is not being prosecuted for the terrorist attack in Banjska, but because of Kosovo.

Vučić said this publicly earlier this week, even though Interpol has issued a red notice for Radoić, who was recently reported to be provided with security by members of the Serbian gendarmerie.

And not only Radoićić, but also Zvonko Veselinović, even though both are on America's blacklist, on charges related to organized crime and corruption.

For Kosovo government officials, this statement by the Serbian president proves that the Serbian justice system is controlled by him, who at the same time encourages attacks on Kosovo state police officers.

Meanwhile, security experts assess the message as worrying and demand a tougher response from the international community.

"This proves what the international community, the United States, the European Union and the Kosovo authorities have repeatedly emphasized. Vučić is ignoring Interpol's request, showing complete disregard for the rule of law. According to him, this constitutes a continuation of the hybrid war against Kosovo and a message that could encourage Serbian extremist elements to attack police officers, with the belief that they will not be held accountable, as their actions will be justified as political. He describes this as a new phase of the hybrid threat that Vučić is addressing in function of internal tensions in Serbia," said Nuredin Ibishi - security expert.

The public defense of Milan Radoić by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić sends the wrong message and risks encouraging destabilizing actions in the region, says Gurakuç Kuçi from the Octopus Institute.

This close connection between them is once again a clear confirmation for the international community that Serbia, led by Aleksandar Vučić, should not be supported in any way, and it should be sanctioned and reforms should be created for accountability and prevention of terrorism. If this continues, then it is likely that in the future Serbia will be encouraged to carry out terrorist attacks in Kosovo, but also in other neighboring countries, "said Gurakuç Kuçi- Octopus Institute

Serbian authorities have not filed indictments against Radoićić, despite claiming responsibility for the armed attack in Banjska in September 2023, in which Kosovo Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed. Furthermore, he remains at large in Serbia, where he also has a registered residence in Belgrade.

The Special Prosecution has included Radoicic in the indictment against 45 people, describing him as the organizer and leader of the terrorist group.

The Basic Court in Pristina convicted three defendants in April, Blagoje Spasojevic and Vladimir Tolic were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Dusan Maksimovic was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Meanwhile, the other defendants, including Milan Radoicic, remain at large.

Meanwhile, the European Union and the United States have repeatedly called on authorities in Serbia to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack in Banjska./RTK

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