
Sweden: Russia's involvement in the Banjska attack is being investigated
The Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Xhelal Sveçla, said that Kosovo is investigating the possible involvement of Russia in the attack on the Police in Banjska in Zveçan.
On September 24, Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed and several policemen were injured, after the law enforcement authorities were attacked by an armed group. Also, three suspected attackers were killed during the exchange of fire.
Kosovo has blamed Serbia for this attack, which it calls terrorist. Belgrade has denied having a hand in the events in Banjska i Zveçani.
Svečla said in an interview with The Associated Press that investigators are looking at evidence linking Russia - Serbia's ally - to the armed attack. Russian weapons and equipment and other documents suggest Russian involvement in the armed attack, he said.
"What we know for sure is that [the attackers] came from Serbia. Some of them are Kosovo Serbs, who have dual citizenship - of Kosovo and Serbia - and according to information from our intelligence, they were trained in camps in Serbia".
"We found some documents that make us suspect that there were individuals from Russia as well," he said. "As for the equipment, we have evidence, but as for the individuals, we still only have suspicions."
There are fears in the West that Russia, acting through Serbia, could aim to destabilize the Balkans and divert attention from its occupation of Ukraine. Russia has offered support to Serbia after the attack in Banjska, accusing the West of failing to protect Kosovo Serbs.
Sveçla said that based on the testimonies gathered and the drone footage, some of the attackers, whom he referred to as "terrorists", were wearing masks during the operation.
"Even the members of the group who were arrested did not know who they were," he said. "So they are either senior officials of the Serbian security sector, or they came directly from Russia."
According to Svečla, the purpose of the operation seemed to be to take control of the north of Kosovo with the ultimate goal of separating this area - inhabited by a majority of Serbs - from the rest of the country.
“Ata kishin mbi 100 uniforma. Ata po planifikonin që të rekrutonin më shumë persona brenda [komuniteteve] ku jetojnë serbët... Institucionet e Kosovës më pas do të duhej të përballeshin me disa qindra terroristë, sipas skenarit që ata kishin planifikuar”.
Ai i bazoi këto pretendime edhe në bazë të armatimeve të shumta që tha se Policia gjeti në Banjskë.
Sipas Sveçlës, rreziku për një kryengritje të re nuk ka kaluar.
“Nuk kemi përleshje, por kemi informacione se trajnimi i terroristëve të tillë po vazhdon në Serbi”, tha ai.
“Në Kosovë ka ende persona që janë pjesë e këtij grupi”, tha Sveçla për AP-në.
Aktualisht, katër persona janë të arrestuar për ngjarjet në Banjskë, teksa Policia ka ekspozuar më 25 shtator armë dhe pajisje të tjera që ka thënë se janë konfiskuar në këtë fshat.
Kosovo has made Serbia responsible for the attack, while Belgrade officially blames the Kosovo Serbs.
Sveçla has previously presented drone footage, saying that it shows the vice president of the Serbian List, Millan Radoicic, armed in Banjska. The Kosovar official said that Radoicic led and participated in the September 24 attack.
The Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, said that Radoicic is in Serbia and will be interrogated. However, he said that he does not know what was the purpose of the group that carried out the attack in Kosovo.
The United States and the European Union have strongly condemned the attack and demanded that those responsible face justice./rel
Latest news


How did LaCivita change the DP campaign? Berisha: He studied the opponent
2025-05-08 22:49:51

David defeats Goliath
2025-05-08 22:15:50

Journalist: There are SPAK infiltrators in party headquarters
2025-05-08 21:55:15
Who is the new Pope?
2025-05-08 21:48:13
Berisha finally reveals when he will retire from politics
2025-05-08 21:33:46


LaCivita in Lezha: Albanians will fire Edi Rama from his job
2025-05-08 21:11:20


Berisha: LaCivita chose us because he believes in Reagan's program
2025-05-08 20:48:40
He rejected America to serve Pogradec, Genti Çela tells about life in "Elevate"
2025-05-08 20:26:28




Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful for the first time in St. Peter's Square
2025-05-08 19:29:33




Photo session with LaCivitta in Tirana: For Great Albania
2025-05-08 18:40:18
Source: DASH decision a personal victory for Berisha
2025-05-08 18:30:10
Take off those crazy glasses and see where you've taken him?
2025-05-08 18:02:47
LDK files criminal charges against members of the incumbent Government
2025-05-08 18:02:00







BIRN analysis: Tirana, the determining district for the future majority
2025-05-08 16:04:03




Chris LaCivita's contract with the DP, Berisha: 100% correct and clean
2025-05-08 15:11:11

"These are the peak days", Berisha reveals when he will travel to the USA
2025-05-08 14:45:25


Endless boxes with filled-in ballots, DP demands separation of votes from Greece
2025-05-08 14:11:12


Photo/ Who are the 3 associates of Talo Çela arrested in Dubai?
2025-05-08 13:37:09

Hetimi për krimet zgjedhore, Altin Dumani zbarkon në Prokurorinë e Shkodrës
2025-05-08 13:06:21
DASH paves the way for Berisha, Alizoti: Great news on the eve of Great Albania!
2025-05-08 13:03:48

"Freedom works", DP welcomes the US position
2025-05-08 12:48:07

Black smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican still without a Pope
2025-05-08 12:26:18





Davide Pecorrelli extradited to Albania
2025-05-08 11:29:04
'May 11, Albania will react', Xhaferri: Electoral criminals will pay
2025-05-08 11:21:46

Gjin Gjoni: Non Grata fell, Rama should get ready to go to McGonigal
2025-05-08 11:01:54
May 8th deadline for immigrants to vote in Greece extended by one day
2025-05-08 10:48:42
Collapse of massive chrome structure, still no trace of 29-year-old
2025-05-08 10:40:04
Vehicle bursts into flames in Paris Commune
2025-05-08 10:25:43
He gave land to his father and cousin, Basir Çollaku denounces the SP candidate
2025-05-08 10:16:16




Electoral Crimes/ BKH agents and Police conduct checks in Shkodra
2025-05-08 09:19:13
3 associates of Talo Çela arrested in Dubai
2025-05-08 09:02:28
Mouse in the owl's claws, Chris LaCivita responds directly to Rama
2025-05-08 08:45:40
Foreign exchange, how much foreign currencies are sold and bought today
2025-05-08 08:30:38
BIRN: Organized crime, the 'invisible party' of the Durrës elections
2025-05-08 08:26:35
Horoscope, what do the stars have in store for you today?
2025-05-08 08:08:15
Cloudy and rainy, what the weather is expected to be like throughout the day
2025-05-08 07:52:13
Posta e mëngjesit/ Me 2 rreshta: Çfarë pati rëndësi dje në Shqipëri
2025-05-08 07:40:16


Rama attacks Bardhi: Fier cannot be represented by the world's gas
2025-05-07 22:36:22



EU calls on Israel to lift humanitarian blockade in Gaza
2025-05-07 21:42:34
"Russia is "asking for a lot"! Vance calls for direct Moscow-Kiev talks
2025-05-07 21:20:16





Bank of Albania sets limits on home loans, Sejko: The maximum will be 85%
2025-05-07 20:16:10


EP calls for immediate lifting of measures against Kosovo
2025-05-07 19:39:58
