Kosovo\u2019s Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sve\u00e7la has stated in an interview with Radio Free Europe that, with the assistance of international partners, the authorities will be pursuing extradition from Serbia to Kosovo for all individuals involved in the planning and execution of a recent terrorist attack in Banjska.<\/p>\n
On September 24, armed groups situated in the northern region of Kosovo launched an assault on Kosovo\u2019s Police forces, resulting in the tragic death of officer Afrim Bunjaku.<\/p>\n
Five days following the attack, responsibility for organizing it was claimed by Milan Radoji\u010di\u0107, the former deputy leader of the Serb List, which is the largest Serbian political party in Kosovo.<\/p>\n
During his interview with RFE, Minister Sve\u00e7la refuted Radoji\u010di\u0107\u2019s assertion that he acted independently, instead suggesting that he had received support from Serbia\u2019s President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n
Sve\u00e7la indicated that ongoing investigations have unearthed evidence pointing to the involvement of more than 80 individuals in the Banjska attack.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Sve\u00e7la touched on the suspected participation of Russia in these events and the ongoing security challenges faced by Kosovo.<\/p>\n
\u201cVu\u010di\u0107 and the Serbian Government implicated\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> Mr. Minister, Milan Radoji\u010di\u0107 admitted today [September 29] to having orchestrated the Banjska attack. How do you interpret his confession, and do you believe that he acted alone in planning the assault, as he has asserted?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> That is categorically untrue. While Milan Radoji\u010di\u0107 has admitted to his role in the terrorist attack, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that he did not act in isolation but had continuous support from Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107, the President of Serbia, the Serbian Government, and the state\u2019s various instrumentalities.<\/p>\n We are well aware of Radoji\u010di\u0107\u2019s close association with Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107, who previously served as Minister of Propaganda during Milo\u0161evi\u0107\u2019s era. Despite now holding the office of Serbia\u2019s President, Vu\u010di\u0107 continues to exert a significant influence in propagandist matters.<\/p>\n Their current strategy appears to be downplaying pressure on Serbia, with the aim of localizing the blame. The perpetrator is already known: it is Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 and his extremist regional agenda, not limited to Kosovo alone.<\/p>\n This incident is not an isolated occurrence. We have previously confiscated similar weaponry with matching serial numbers, whether in Zvecan on June 23 or in North Mitrovica on both August 7 and September 5. This implies a meticulously orchestrated and well-organized plan, which only failed due to the determination, readiness to make sacrifices, and professionalism of the Kosovo Police force. However, it is evident that the plan had much broader implications. Vu\u010di\u0107\u2019s involvement is clear, as is the involvement of the Serbian Government. It also appears that Russia may have a role in this scenario.<\/p>\n Serbia urged to \u201cwithdraw troops from the Kosovo border\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Radio Free Europe: <\/strong>What will be Kosovo\u2019s next course of action following Radoji\u010di\u0107\u2019s public address?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> We are committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation into this recent attack, aiming to identify all the individuals involved in this act of terrorism. Our focus extends to scrutinizing the entire hierarchy of the two organizations we have already designated as terrorist entities \u2013 Northern Brigade and Civil Protection. Additionally, we are diligently documenting their direct connections to the Serbian Government.<\/p>\n Simultaneously, we will call upon Serbia \u2013 certainly through our diplomatic channels and international partners \u2013 to facilitate the extradition of all individuals who were either injured and managed to leave Kosovo or departed without harm. We believe that this is the only path towards achieving genuine normalization within the situation in Kosovo.<\/p>\n We will also insist on the immediate cessation of all Serbian incursions or aggressions, including the withdrawal of their military forces from the vicinity of our border. We remain mindful of potential risks, and we are actively preparing to confront and effectively respond to any challenges. Our experiences, both with Serbia and its president, Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107, have been fraught with difficulties.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> Will you be seeking the extradition of Radoji\u010di\u0107 and involving the international community in these efforts, considering that Kosovo and Serbia lack an extradition agreement?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> Absolutely, we will pursue the extradition of not only Radoji\u010di\u0107 but also all individuals who were implicated in the planning and execution of this terrorist act.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> Can you provide any insights into the number of people involved in the ongoing investigations?<\/p>\n The number of attackers, \u201cover 80\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> Initially, it was believed that there were around 30 to 40 terrorists involved. Now, we can confidently say that the number is higher, which underscores the remarkable success of the Kosovo Police.<\/p>\n Despite being outnumbered and less well-equipped than this terrorist group, the Kosovo Police managed to achieve a successful outcome after the loss of officer Afrim Bunjaku\u2019s life. Following this incident, we continued to engage in a day-long battle, for which we have received praise from all our allies. However, the number is substantial. We can now confirm that it exceeds 80.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> Have you had any contact with the Serbian Police or the Intelligence and Security Agency there after the attack in Banjska?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> No, we have not had any contact. We believe that they are directly involved. One of the deceased was a former member of Aleksandar Vulin\u2019s security detail, who currently serves as the head of Serbia\u2019s Intelligence Agency. Remarkably, Vulin is also on the United States\u2019 and the United Kingdom\u2019s blacklists. This situation is paradoxical since we are dealing with figures who are not only criminals but have also been sanctioned by the democratic world.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> Serbian President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 has stated that he will investigate the killing of the Kosovo Police officer, Afrim Bunjaku. What is your comment on this?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> How can he investigate the killing when he declared three days of mourning for the deaths of terrorists during their attack on a sovereign state? This terrorist group killed a police officer on duty, during a patrol. It was not Afrim Bunjaku… he was not part of the battle. He was killed during a patrol\u2019s initial arrival to investigate the barricade these terrorists had set up… and he is politically mourning these terrorists, declaring days of mourning for them.<\/p>\n They are not arresting the terrorists who have returned to Serbia. Therefore, I do not believe in this cynical approach by the President of Serbia when he says he will investigate the police officer\u2019s death. He is attempting to downplay the pressure that may come or should come from the democratic world.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe: <\/strong>You mentioned earlier that you are investigating possible Russian involvement. What evidence have you gathered so far?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la: <\/strong>Yes, in one of the vehicles… there are 24 off-road vehicles that were found in this village loaded with ammunition and materials. In one of these vehicles, we found Russian materials, and there are also two four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles, produced in Russia, which were donated to the Serbian army. There is also intelligence information regarding the involvement of individuals directly connected to Russia.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe: <\/strong>Do you have the identity of any Russians suspected to be involved, or is the investigation ongoing?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> We are continuously working on identifying all these terrorists. It is a fact that some of them did not communicate with other group members and never removed their masks during the operation. This raises significant suspicions about these individuals. However, I believe that very soon our specialized units of the Kosovo Police, in cooperation with our allies and the Kosovo intelligence agency, will identify them as well.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> Do you suspect they are mercenaries, or are investigations ongoing?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> To be honest, I don\u2019t believe they are mercenaries in the sense of being paid for this. This is a political project involving Serbia and Russia, and they are exploiting their trusted structures. We have evidence that there is a purported Russian humanitarian center in Nish, which is internationally known to be an intelligence center, through which they conduct surveillance across the region. This center also hosts various exercises, whether for intelligence or field operations, and we believe that this center is also involved in this attack.<\/p>\n \u201cAny aggressive act towards Kosovo will be met with a suitable response\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> You mentioned the risk of further escalations. What steps are you taking to reduce such threats?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la: <\/strong>Certainly, we have observed signs of increased military activity and various groups near Kosovo\u2019s borders. We are consistently working in close cooperation and coordination with EULEX (the EU mission for the rule of law in Kosovo) and KFOR (the NATO mission in Kosovo), which hold the second and third responsibility for security in Kosovo, respectively.<\/p>\n Furthermore, we are enhancing the capacity of Kosovo\u2019s Police force to ensure that any form of aggression against the Republic of Kosovo, regardless of its scale, will be met with an appropriate and measured response.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> How do you view NATO\u2019s decision to bolster the presence of KFOR forces in Kosovo?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> This development is welcomed. We maintain ongoing communication with NATO\u2019s leadership and representatives. Additionally, we have proposed joint border patrols along the Kosovo-Serbia boundary. As you are well aware, we share an extensive border between these two nations. The terrain is also challenging, necessitating specialized equipment to effectively monitor border movements. I believe this decision is a positive one.<\/p>\n Radio Free Europe:<\/strong> What message would you like to convey to the residents in north Kosovo?<\/p>\n Xhelal Sve\u00e7la:<\/strong> The residents in north Kosovo consistently receive positive messages from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. These citizens are equal members of the Republic of Kosovo and our institutions are dedicated to serving and safeguarding them. This commitment was vividly demonstrated on September 24 when we engaged in a robust battle against terrorists. Importantly, at no point were any of our civilian residents placed in harm\u2019s way or harmed.<\/p>\n Moreover, we have not received any complaints from these residents regarding the conduct of our police officers. It is worth noting that the UNDP conducted a series of reliability assessments measuring citizens\u2019 trust in the Kosovo Police in that region \u2013 in fact, multiple assessments were conducted. During the period when we integrated police officers from former parallel structures into the Kosovo Police, which preceded the resignation of 547 police officers…<\/p>\n Trust in the Kosovo Police in that region stood at 15 percent, in contrast to other parts of Kosovo. Now, another UNDP assessment indicates that trust has increased to 33.8 percent.<\/p>\n This significant rise signifies that citizens\u2019 trust in the Kosovo Police in those northern municipalities has more than doubled. I am confident that this trust will continue to grow as our cooperation with residents in that area continuously improves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kosovo\u2019s Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sve\u00e7la has stated in an interview with Radio Free Europe that, with the assistance of international partners, the authorities will be pursuing extradition from Serbia to Kosovo for all individuals involved in the planning and execution of a recent terrorist attack in Banjska. On September 24, armed groups situated […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":45634,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[163],"tags":[766,4419,300,2774,150,243,151,2203,4457,301,1239,787],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n