Oct 9, 2024 – The trial of 45 individuals accused of involvement in last year’s violent attack in the village of Banjška opened in Pristina on Wednesday, under strict security measures. Only three of the defendants were present in court, while the others remain fugitives.
Two of the accused pleaded not guilty, and the third claimed innocence against charges of violating the constitutional order, engaging in terrorist activities, terrorist financing, and money laundering. If convicted, they face potential sentences of up to life in prison.
Judge Arben Hoti noted that the defendants’ refusal to declare guilt is interpreted as a non-admission of culpability under the law. “Non-declaration means that the accused do not admit guilt,” he stated.
Lubomir Pantovi?, representing one of the defendants, highlighted their legal rights. “The two accused have used their right not to plead guilty, a right guaranteed to them by law,” he said. He added that they can choose to plead guilty at a later date.
The three defendants present in court were arrested in September 2023 as part of a group that attacked Kosovo police on September 24. Three attackers were killed during the clashes. Arianit Koci, a lawyer for the family of the murdered officer Afrim Bunjaku, urged international pressure on Serbia to extradite the remaining 42 accused individuals.
“There is no life for them; they are all on red notice from INTERPOL. I expect Serbia to hand them over to Kosovo,” Koci said. He emphasized that extradition should be a fundamental condition for Serbia’s continued participation in international organizations, including the European Union.
The Special Prosecutor’s Office of Kosovo announced the indictment on September 11. Among the main accused is Milan Radoicic, a former politician with close ties to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who is alleged to have led the armed group during the attack.
Kosovo authorities accuse Serbia of organizing and supporting the group while demanding the extradition of the attackers for trial in Kosovo. However, Belgrade denies involvement, saying that the attackers were Kosovo Serb citizens reacting against Pristina’s policies.
Radoicic, who was detained by Serbian authorities shortly after the attack, was released from custody just a day later. He is under restrictions that prohibit him from leaving Serbia or entering Kosovo.
The ongoing trial reflects the deep-seated ethnic tensions in the region and has drawn international scrutiny. The United States and United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on Radoicic due to his alleged criminal activities. European and American diplomats have called on Serbia to bring the perpetrators to justice, as the attack has heightened concerns about stability in the Balkans.
As the trial progresses, the accused have 30 days to challenge the evidence or seek to have the indictment dismissed.
