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Judgment on the Banjska case, DW: The perpetrators wander in Serbia

Politiko 2024-09-25 15:23:43

Judgment on the Banjska case, DW: The perpetrators wander in Serbia

On Wednesday, the trial of 45 people, most of them in absentia, including Milan Radojciqi, for the attack in Banjska, begins in the Basic Court of Pristina. Radojcik, who accepts responsibility for the attack, is still at large in Serbia.

One year after the attack in Banjska in the north of Kosovo, when a group of armed Serbs attacked the police and killed Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, on Wednesday in the Basic Court of Pristina, the trial against 45 people, including Milan Radojčič, is expected to begin. The group of 45 people is accused of the criminal offenses "Committing a terrorist offense", "Serious offenses against the constitutional order and security of the Republic of Kosovo", "Facilitating and financing the commission of terrorism" as well as "Money laundering". The trial starts in absentia, because most of the accused are inaccessible to the Kosovo judicial system. The file of the Special Prosecution in this case states that "the terrorist group tried to separate the northern part of Kosovo and join it to Serbia".

EU: Those responsible for the attack in Banjska should be brought to justice

On the 1st anniversary of the Banjska attack, international authorities and leaders of Kosovo's institutions demanded that those responsible be brought to justice, emphasizing the fact that the attackers are free in Serbia. The European Union, through its spokesman Peter Stano, reiterated the call to prosecute those responsible for the attack in Banjska and that the EU is committed to justice. "One year after the attack in Banjska. The EU reiterates the call for quick prosecution of those responsible and reaffirms its commitment to justice and accountability. It is a reminder of the need for continuous efforts to maintain security and advance the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia", Stano wrote on the X platform.

The German Embassy in Pristina, in its response, says that "a year ago, during the serious attack in Banjska, the Kosovo policeman Afrim Bunjaku lost his life. His sacrifice will not be forgotten, but the fact remains: Milan Radoičić, the alleged perpetrator behind this crime, despite accepting responsibility, is still free in Serbia".

In the reaction of the German embassy, ​​it is emphasized that the failure to bring those responsible to justice, despite the clear admission of guilt, undermines peace in the region and sends a dangerous message. "Justice must be done. There are no more delays or excuses", it is said.

Even the American ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, requested that "the perpetrators of the terrible crime in Banjska be held accountable". on duty during the attack in Banjska, one year ago today. The United States reiterates its call, and it is our expectation, that the perpetrators and all those involved in that horrific crime be held fully accountable," Hovenier wrote on Platform X.

Government of Kosovo: Serbia's act of aggression


Meanwhile, the main leaders of Kosovo's institutions have called the attack a year ago in Banjska an act of aggression by Serbia against the state of Kosovo. "This shows that the Banjska of September 2023 was a plan to attack Kosovo, it was an aggression against state sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace, security and constitutionality," said Prime Minister Albin Kurti, revealing the road sign Afrim Bunjuaku, in the place where the sergeant was killed. President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, wrote that "the fall of Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku has shown that freedom has no price and that Kosovo is and will remain indivisible, our freedom and borders inviolable." .

The attack a year ago in Banjka i Zveçani was described as a terrorist attack by international authorities, leaders of Kosovo's institutions and Western diplomats, who have constantly demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice. Milan Radoicic, former vice president of Lista Serbe, the largest party of Kosovo Serbs supported by Belgrade, took responsibility for the preparation and leadership of the armed group. Kosovo authorities also accuse Serbia of organizing and supporting the group. Official Belgrade denies being involved in the attack, saying that the armed group was made up of Kosovo Serb citizens revolted by Pristina's official approach to Kosovo Serbs./ DW

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