Kosovo prosecutors have filed charges against 45 individuals over their alleged involvement in a 2023 gunfight near the Banjska village that resulted in the deaths of four people. Among those charged is Milan Radoičić, a politician and businessman with ties to Serbia’s ruling party. Radoičić is accused of coordinating the criminal activity that led to the shootout. Despite previously admitting his involvement in the paramilitary group behind the incident, Radoičić has denied the charges against him.
Serbia has denied any involvement in the incident, claiming that Radoičić and his group acted independently. The 45 individuals charged face a range of accusations, including violations of the constitutional and legal order, terror activities, funding terrorism, and money laundering. If convicted, they could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The case has been described as the most complex ever handled by Kosovo prosecutors, who have collaborated with international institutions, Brussels, and Washington to build a strong case.
EU and US officials have called for the perpetrators of the gunfight to be brought to justice. They have also urged both Serbia and Kosovo to implement agreements reached between President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Albin Kurti in 2023, including the establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move recognized by many countries, including most EU member states, the US, and the UK. However, Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence.
The incident in Banjska is part of a long history of tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, which was a Serbian province until the 1999 NATO bombing campaign that ended the conflict between Belgrade forces and ethnic Albanian separatists. The conflict resulted in thousands of deaths, mostly ethnic Albanians. Kosovo became a UN protectorate before declaring independence in 2008. Despite international recognition, the dispute between Serbia and Kosovo remains unresolved, with incidents like the Banjska gunfight contributing to ongoing tensions between the two sides. The charges filed by Kosovo prosecutors are a significant step towards accountability and justice for the victims of the shootout.
