Kosovo indicts 45 individuals on terrorism charges in connection with the 2023 assault

Kosovo announced the indictment of 45 suspects on terrorism charges on Wednesday, nearly a year after ethnic Serb gunmen overran a village in northern Kosovo and engaged in a firefight with police that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a police officer.

The escalation of tensions between Pristina and Belgrade was precipitated by the incident, which was the most severe violence in the restive region since the western Balkan republic declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

“There is substantial evidence that all 45 suspects have committed criminal offenses related to terrorism, criminal offenses against constitutional order, financing of terrorism, and money laundering,” stated Blerim Isufaj, the chief prosecutor of the Special Prosecution of Kosovo, during a press conference.

The police reported that approximately 80 militants entered Kosovo from Serbia in armored vehicles on September 24, 2023, and subsequently barricaded themselves in a Serbian Orthodox monastery in Banjska village, which is primarily inhabited by ethnic Serbs.

The shootout resulted in the deaths of three gunmen and a Kosovar police officer. The remaining assailants fled to Serbia on foot through the hills, leaving behind vehicles that were loaded with munitions, explosives, and weapons.

The prosecution has alleged that Milan Radoicic, the group’s commander and a former prominent Kosovo Serb politician, is among the accused. Although Radoicic resides in Serbia, he has publicly acknowledged his involvement in the gunfight.

All of the suspects, some of whom are Kosovo citizens, are suspected to be in Serbia. Belgrade does not acknowledge Kosovo’s independence and continues to regard it as part of its own territory. Therefore, it is not probable that they will be transferred to the Kosovo authorities.

According to Kosovo, Serbia is responsible for the shooting. This is denied by Belgrade.

The global police agency Interpol issued international arrest warrants for 19 defendants, including Radoicic, at the beginning of this year.

North Kosovo is home to approximately 50,000 Serbs who do not acknowledge the institutions of Pristina and regard Belgrade as their capital. They have frequently found themselves in conflict with the Kosovo police and international peacekeepers.