Charged for the attack on Banjska today appear before court

At the Constitutional Court in Pristina today, the first hearing is held in the case of the Banjska attack against Vdalmir Toliqi, Blagoje Spasojevich and Dusan Maksimovich.

The three accused were arrested after the attack on Zvecan Banjska on September 2023, when an armed group of Serbs attacked the Kosovo Police and killed police officer African Bunnjak. Three attackers were killed in the subsequent shootout.

In September 2024, Kosovo's Special Prosecutor filed charges against 45 persons for terrorism, terrorism financing and serious criminal acts, many of whom include Milan Radojcina, who claimed responsibility for the attack on Banjska are on the run.

The prosecution on 9 October last year, at the feasibility hearing, demanded that the trial also be launched for the accused who are not in Kosovo, but defence lawyers stressed that something like that is not allowed by Kosovo laws.

Judge Arben Hoti demanded a legal opinion from the Supreme Court on interpretation of the law, which found the case to be the judge's <x0-> right-directed”.

Such a decision has not yet been made.

Otherwise, at the preparation session of October 9th 2024, the two accused -- Vdalomir Tolliq and Blagoje Spasojevic -- refused to plead guilty to this phase of the process, while Dusan Maksimovic was acquitted.

The responsibility for the armed attack on Banjska was taken by Milan Radociq, former deputy chairman of the Serbian List, the largest party of Serbs in Kosovo to have official Belgrade's support. He and most members of the armed group are believed to be at large in Serbia.

What does the indictment contain?

Kosovo's Special Prosecutor, in addition, charges the accused in the Banjska case with terrorist acts and works against Kosovo's constitutional order and security.

The case attorney, Naim Abazi, earlier stated that the accused had different roles within the criminal group, “from the organisation and direction of terrorist activities, to financing and money laundering”.

Who are the defendants?

The charge mentions 45 people:

Milan Radojciq, Blagoje Spasojevic, Vdalmir Toliq, Dusan Maksimovic, Vdalmir Radivojevicq, Uglesa Jarediq, Milorad Yevtiq, Vlastimir Andric, Aleksandar Milosavlevljevic, Lizzar Shmiq, Valko Djordjevicq, Vljrav Siqko, Valova Krstovic, Uros Milovic, Trajko Vasqu, Dani Vasloqu, Valajac, Perisavac, Perisava Sasaman Stankov, Valqkov, Stefan Luclo Valqkov, Valkov, Valsav Valkov, Valkov, Valkov, Valkov, Valko, Valko, Valkov, Valkov, Valkov, Valsav Valkov, Valkov, Valsavko, Valkov, Valsav Valko, Valsavol Valsavol Valkov, Valkov, Valsavov, Valsavov, Valsavov. RAD D.O.O. And Radule Stevick.

The indictment says that this group, through the use of heavy-armed violence, has attempted “the northern part of the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, respectively, Serb-run municipalities, and this part of the territory of joining the Republic of Serbia”.

As leader of this group, Milan Radociq has been identified, allegedly playing an important role in co-ordinating assault and criminal activities.

Radovacic is on the US and United Kingdom blacklist for links to international organised crime and corruption.

In Kosovo, it also relates to the murder of a Serbian opposition politician, as well as to witness intimidation in a judicial process for some illegal construction.

What does the indictment say about Banjska?

In the indictment, the Prosecution cites 34 evidence files, among which there are videos, analysis of electronic devices, different answers from Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina, different banks and institutions, witness statements, etc.

Kosovo authorities name the attack in Banjska as a terrorist act and accuse Serbia of standing behind him.

On the other hand, Serbia has denied any involvement in the Banjska attack, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq has stressed that for Belgrade this attack is not terrorist but that it is being investigated.

The international community has strongly condemned the attack on Banjska and has demanded that those responsible be brought to justice./Periscopi/