UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 24, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Two years since Banjska attack, perpetrators still at large (media)
Kurti to internationals: Serbia not a normal state until it hands over criminals (AP)
UK urges Serbia to bring Radoicic and perpetrators to justice (media)
German embassy: Radoicic continues to live freely in Serbia (media)
Kosovo remembers police sergeant killed in Banjska attack in 2023 (media)
Banjska attack; Fetoshi explains Serbia’s propaganda for north of Kosovo (media)
Musliu: Highest Serbian state levels planned, supported Banjska attack (media)
“Serbia provokes on 2nd anniversary of Banjska, honors assailants” (media)
Group of citizens: Radoicic is threatening people in Kosjeric (RFE)
US Embassy: President Trump – President of Peace (media)
Germany calls for formation of institutions, respect for Constitutional Court (EO)
Rama: Kosovo must do its homework for the EU, not focus on Serbia (media)
Gervalla meets Radman in NY, discuss furthering cooperation (media)
“Trump’s envoy supposed to come in November; Kurti delaying new govt” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic with Rubio: Gratitude for US role in protecting security of Serbian people in Kosovo (media, social media)
Rubio: With Vucic on Strategic Dialogue that US and Serbia will launch soon (media, social media)
Starovic: In 8 years, 28 countries have withdrawn recognition of Kosovo, there is room for continuation of campaign (Tanjug, K1)
Head of NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo address on occasion of end of his mandate (FoNet, Danas)
Two years after Banjska clashes: Village mostly deserted, heavy police presence in north (KoSSev)
Mijacic: No agreement foresees integration of Serbian healthcare and education into Kosovo system (RTS)
Rada Trajkovic: Message of all Serbs should be that Radoicic has no place at large (KiM radio)
Disinformation: Let's start from our backyard, what is propaganda and spin in Kosovo (KiM radio, Media Center Caglavica)
Brnabic: We are grateful to Azerbaijan for respecting territorial integrity of Serbia (Tanjug)

International:

High manganese presence leads Prishtina searching for long-term water supply solutions (PI)
Rubio holds talks with Serbian President at UN, avoids Trump question (The Pavlovic Today)
Serbian students nominated by Renew Europe group (EWB)
Many leaders back a UN call to address challenges together but Trump says `America First’ (AP)

Albanian Language Media

Two years since Banjska attack, perpetrators still at large (media)

Two years have passed since the armed attack in Banjska, northern Kosovo, where police officer Afrim Bunjaku was killed. Despite the passage of time and the admission of responsibility by Milan Radoicic, he and dozens of other suspects remain free in Serbia.

The organized group ambushed Bunjaku in the north and later regrouped in the village of Banjska. Drone footage captured the faces of numerous suspects and documented their retreat from the scene. Following the attack, Kosovo police seized a large cache of weapons and directly accused the Serbian state of involvement.

Among the first to react and strongly condemn the attack in Banjska was the U.S. Embassy, calling for those responsible to be held accountable and brought to justice. This demand was echoed by UNMIK, OSCE, KFOR, EULEX, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Union Office, Austria, Croatia, Turkey, and others.

So far, only three of the accused are in pre-trial detention. On September 11 last year, Kosovo’s Special Prosecution filed indictments against Radoicic and over 40 others, all currently residing in Serbia. Radoicic, the former deputy leader of the Serbian List, was briefly questioned by Serbian authorities in October 2023 but then released.

The indictment alleges that the group used heavy weapons in an attempt to violently separate Kosovo’s northern territory and annex it to Serbia. The attack resulted in the death of Officer Bunjaku and endangered the lives of other officers and civilians.

Radoicic and others are under international arrest warrants and remain fugitives. The Special Prosecution’s case includes charges against 45 individuals, including high-profile suspects. They face terrorism-related charges and crimes against Kosovo’s constitutional order and security.

According to the indictment, the group, under Radoicic’s leadership, sought to seize control of Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo and forcibly annex them to Serbia. Radoicic is also blacklisted by both the United States and the United Kingdom for ties to organized crime and corruption.

The indictment is supported by 34 case files containing video recordings, electronic device analyses, responses from authorities in Luxembourg and Bosnia and Herzegovina, banking records, and witness testimonies.

On the second anniversary of the attack, Kosovo Police organized events to honor the memory of Afrim Bunjaku. State officials are expected to lay wreaths at his grave, followed by a commemorative ceremony.

Kurti to internationals: Serbia not a normal state until it hands over criminals (AP)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on the second anniversary of the killing of police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku during the attack in Banjska, that the international community should not consider Serbia as a normal state until it hands over those responsible for the attack in the north of Kosovo. “We call on the international community not to consider Serbia a normal state until it hands over the Serb criminals who were organized and led by Milan Radoicic and financed and supported by Belgrade and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic,” he said. “The [Kosovo] indictment includes 45 persons who must be immediately handed over to the state of Kosovo. The indictment includes numerous facts and arguments proving their involvement in the killing of Afrim Bunjaku and in this aggressor and terrorist attack”.

UK urges Serbia to bring Radoicic and perpetrators to justice (media)

The UK Embassy in Kosovo said in a Facebook post that “today is the second anniversary of the terrible attack in Banjska. We continue to mourn the loss of police officer Afrim Bunjaku during the attack. We pay tribute to the professionalism and bravery of the Kosovo Police for their action to restore order on 24 September 2023, and to Kosovo’s prosecutors for their patient work in developing an indictment”. The embassy also said that “the perpetrators, including Milan Radoicic, have still not been apprehended and brought to justice and we again urge the Serbian authorities to act on this as soon as possible”.

German embassy: Radoicic continues to live freely in Serbia (media)

The German Embassy in Kosovo said in a Facebook post today that “two years since the terrible Banjska attack and yet, the self-confessed leader of the attack, Radoicic, continues to live freely in Serbia. Two years since the killing of Kosovo Police officer Afrim Bunjaku and despite various assurances that the perpetrators will be held accountable still no justice has been served. This obvious impunity is unacceptable. It’s imperative that accountability and justice get implemented without any further delay”.

Kosovo remembers police sergeant killed in Banjska attack in 2023 (media)

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Memli Krasniqi said Kosovo Police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, who was killed during the attack in Banjska in September 2023, “remains a testament to courage and commitment to defend the Republic of Kosovo”. “Two years after the terrorist attack, justice has not been served yet. Criminals who have found shelter and remain untouched in Serbia must be handed over and answered before the law, because only in this way the sacrifice of Afrim can be honored and the future of Kosovo can be secured,” he said.

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku said “Bunjaku was killed by members of a terrorist group supported and commanded by Serbia, as he was doing his job, proving that service to the fatherland is above everything … His sacrifice remains a living memory for the challenges that Kosovo faces, but also for our determination never to surrender to violence and efforts for destabilization. The responsibility for this criminal attack falls not only on the direct authors, but also those that ideated and encouraged it, and which should be held accountable to justice”.

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj said in a Facebook post that “today we remember the bravery, determination and sublime sacrifice of Kosovo Hero Afrim Bunjaku who fell heroically in defense of peace, security and the lives of the people of the Republic of Kosovo”.

NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj: “Today we remember with pain and pride the hero of Kosovo, Afrim Bunjaku, who fell heroically while defending our country’s sovereignty and integrity. His heroic fall is proof of the uncompromising commitment to duty, the fatherland and the peace that was won with a lot of effort and sacrifice”.

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Artan Behrami: “Serbia has never changed its war-mongering agenda with which it carried out genocide in Kosovo. It constitutes a permanent threat to security, even after the heroic fall of hero Afrim Bunjaku. Kosovo Police showed professionalism in defending order and sovereignty two years ago, by coordinating with the United States and other allies of Kosovo. Relations with the US remain determinant for every success in the future, in safeguarding peace, and strengthening Kosovo’s international position”.

Banjska attack; Fetoshi explains Serbia’s propaganda for north of Kosovo (media)

Several news websites cover an interview that the Director of the Octopus Institute for hybrid warfare studies, Arben Fetoshi, gave to Ekonomia Online, on the second anniversary of the attack in Banjska in the north of Kosovo in September 2023. “The main objective of the terrorist attack led by Milan Radoicic was to impose a new situation in the north of the country, which according to Serbia’s calculation, would result in the suspension of Kosovo’s institutions in that region and then create a new reality which Serbia would use as part of its expansionist policy against Kosovo. The objective was to provoke a wide conflict in the north and impose a new reality that would restore the mandate of KFOR in Resolution 1244 so that in the future Serbia could count on this as a battleground against the constitutional order of Kosovo and its territorial tendencies vis-à-vis Kosovo. This did not happen thanks to our security institutions, specifically the Kosovo Police, although we have a hero that was killed during the incursion in the northern part, and there was also a coordinated reaction between the police and our international allies,” he said.

Fetoshi further argued that after the attack, Serbia launched hybrid threats against Kosovo. “Serbia tried to change the approach and method to continue with hybrid attacks against Kosovo which focused on disinformation campaigns, different manipulation methods and tactics with the aim of imposing or creating a distorted reality to international decision-making centers and trying to blame Kosovo with what is today known as the narrative of discrimination and terrorism against Serb citizens in the north. But previously there were other strategic narratives such as the intimidation of Serb girls and women by the Kosovo Police which was aimed at demonizing the Kosovo Police so that the internationals would view Kosovo as a destructive party and question the integrity and institutional operation against organized crime and Serbia’s illegal structures in the northern part of the country,” he said.

Fetoshi said that Serbia changed its strategy by using more sophisticated methods to damage Kosovo’s image on the international arena. “The consequences were evident in the sense that there was a changed and sophisticated strategy by Serbia to prioritize slandering campaigns against Kosovo’s institutions and undertake actions to activate an espionage network with the aim of implementing Serbia’s strategic objectives against Kosovo and to demonize Kosovo’s institutions through false narratives,” he said.

Musliu: Highest Serbian state levels planned, supported Bansjka attack (media)

Founder of the Pristina-based Octopus Institute for hybrid warfare studies, Agim Musliu, said in a Facebook post today the Banjska attack in September 2023 was the biggest aggression by Serbia against Kosovo’s sovereignty since the end of the war. “Facts documented from the ground, preparations and the weapons of the terrorist group, maps, videos and other military material as well as the safe channel to penetrate into Kosovo prove that this attack was an operation planned, organized and supported by the highest levels of the Serbian state. President Aleksandar Vucic, the government of Serbia and the Serbian armed forces were directly and indirectly involved in the undertaking. The final objective was to create a zone controlled by Belgrade in the north of Kosovo, as a step toward the de facto annexation of that part of the territory. On that day, the Serbian army was on standby to support the terrorists,” he argued.

Musliu said that even after he was internationally exposed as the leader of the attack, Milan Radoicic continued to enjoy full protection from the Serbian state and their president. “This fact proves the organic tie between Belgrade’s official policy and the criminal-paramilitary structures that are used as instruments of state strategy. In addition to being free, Radoicic exerts control on the ground in support of the Serbian Progressive Party as was the case yesterday in the municipality of Kosjeric and the influence over the Serbian List in the local elections in Kosovo”.

“Serbia provokes on 2nd anniversary of Banjska, honors assailants” (media)

TeVe1 news website reports that on the 2nd anniversary of the attack in Banjska in September 2023, “Belgrade has organized an open provocation on Kalemegdan Square in the capital city, where assailants that took part in the attack were honored with flags and nationalistic banners”. Under the statue of Victor of Belgrade, a flag was placed with the portraits of the three assailants killed in Zvecan. One of the banners called for the return of the Serbian army to Kosovo. Telegrafi news websites cover the news under the headline “Serbia glorifies in Belgrade the terrorists that were killed during the Banjska attack”. Ekonomia Online and Albanian Post also report on the event.

Group of citizens: Radoicic is threatening people in Kosjeric (RFE)

The news website reports that the association of citizens “Clean people for a clean Kosjeric” said that on September 23, Milan Radoicic appeared in this city in western Serbia and that he threatened people in one of the city’s cafeterias. Radoicic, who is on the Interpol wanted list, went to Kosjeric with a group of people in SUVs, accompanied with security, and they were hosted in a cafeteria by the mayor of Kosjeric, Zarko Djokic, the association said in a statement. “This delegation went through the main road and visited several stores and according to the people present there, they disturbed people that had earlier participated in protests against local and central government,” it added.

RFE could not confirm allegations as the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs did not comment on the events in Kosjeric. The city mayor also did not respond to questions from the news website. Some media in Serbia have reported that a rally of government supporters in Serbia will be held in Kosjeric on September 27. The rallies are held across Serbia as a reaction to anti-government protests which have called for accountability for the death of 16 persons after the fall of a canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad.

US Embassy: President Trump – President of Peace (media)

Most news websites report that the US Embassy in Kosovo shared a post by the US State Department which notes “President Trump: The President of Peace. President Trump has ended 7 wars in just 7 months: Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, DRC and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, Armenia and Azerbaijan”.

Germany calls for formation of institutions, respect for Constitutional Court (EO)

German deputy ambassador in Kosovo, Christian Bottcher, highlighted today the importance of respecting the Constitutional Court and the responsibility of political representatives to guarantee the normal functioning of Kosovo. “I want to mention some criticism about politics here. It is the responsibility of political parties and members of assembly to meet the expectations of the people. It is the responsibility of members of the assembly to constitute the assembly in line with the Constitution and to elect a government that will lead the country. And if the assembly concludes that the best way forward are early elections, then so be it,” he said.

Bottcher also said that every delay in the formation of the government and advancing the energy transition risks the interests of investors and would result in direct economic losses. “And this implies real losses in funds, jobs and future wellbeing,” he argued.

Rama: Kosovo must do its homework for the EU, not focus on Serbia (media)

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that Kosovo should concentrate on meeting the European Union’s requirements for dialogue and integration, rather than focusing on Serbia’s positions. Speaking at the “Albania, The New Horizon” conference in Vienna, attended by entrepreneurs from over 25 countries, Rama was asked about the Open Balkan initiative and unresolved issues between Kosovo and Serbia.

He expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in the dialogue process but emphasized that Kosovo must fulfill its responsibilities. “Kosovo should not think about Serbia, should not look at Serbia, should not care what Serbia is doing. It should do its homework and submit a completed report card to the European Union. This process is not about accepting what Serbia wants, but about meeting the conditions set by the EU,” Rama said.

He noted that the EU-mediated dialogue has failed due to a flawed format but insisted that Kosovo must not waste time dealing with Serbia. “It’s in Kosovo’s interest to move forward, without being conditioned by Serbia’s reactions. If it fails to do so, it will continue to isolate itself more and more, and that is unfortunate,” he added.

Gervalla meets Radman in NY, discuss furthering cooperation (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donika Gervalla, met with her Croatian counterpart, Gordan Grlic Radman, and discussed steps to further cooperation. “Priority remains in concluding bilateral agreements on mutual recognition of drivers’ licenses, cooperation in healthcare, education and civil protection. We also talked about attracting investments and creating a joint committee for trade and economy, so that our friendship is reflected in concrete development for the citizens. Strengthening democracy goes through the inclusion of youth. Kosovo and Croatia are determined to give the new generation the space it deserves, because the future of our societies depends on them,” Gervalla said in a Facebook post after the meeting.

“Trump’s envoy supposed to come in November; Kurti delaying new govt” (media)

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) member Xhavit Haliti said in an interview with T7 that caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti is intentionally delaying the formation of a new government knowing that the envoy of US President Donald Trump was supposed to come in November to start negotiations for an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. “Albin knows that the envoy of the US President was supposed to come in November and start the negotiations, and he knew that the agreement must be signed,” he argued.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic with Rubio: Gratitude for US role in protecting security of Serbian people in Kosovo (media, social media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met last night on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In the talks, Vucic emphasized that Serbia is committed to preserving peace and stability, expressing gratitude for the role of the United States in protecting the security of the Serbian people in Kosovo and for its contribution to the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue process, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“An important and substantive discussion with Marco Rubio on strengthening the political dialogue between Serbia and the US, improving economic cooperation, and addressing common security challenges”, Vucic wrote on Instagram after the meeting with the American official. He added the focus of the talks was on economy and trade, particularly regarding the resolution of US tariffs. The meeting also discussed possibilities for new investments, cooperation in energy and new technologies, as well as the opportunities provided by the strategic dialogue mechanism.

“I also stressed that Serbia is committed to preserving peace and stability as a precondition for any further progress and a better life for all citizens, expressing gratitude for the role of the United States in protecting the security of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as for its contribution to the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue process”, Vucic also said in a post.

He also pointed out that Serbia values US support on its path toward full membership in the European Union, which is one of the country’s strategic goals. “An open and sincere dialogue, built on mutual trust and respect, is the best path toward strengthening the Serbia–US partnership. I am convinced that our relations will gain even stronger momentum in the future, to our mutual benefit and in the interest of peace, stability, and prosperity”, Vucic added.

Rubio: With Vucic on Strategic Dialogue that US and Serbia will launch soon (media, social media)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he discussed with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in New York the strategic dialogue that, as he stressed, the two nations will soon launch, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Rubio noted he also spoke with Vucic about US participation in the EXPO, describing it as an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations.

“Good to see Serbian President @avucic again today in New York. We discussed the Strategic Dialogue our two nations will launch soon and U.S. participation in EXPO 2027, both opportunities to further strengthen our bilateral relationship as we seek to build a better future together”, Rubio wrote in a post on X social platform.

Starovic: In 8 years, 28 countries have withdrawn recognition of Kosovo, there is room for continuation of campaign (Tanjug, K1)

The Minister for European Integration, Nemanja Starovic, said today that ''28 countries have withdrawn their recognition of the so-called Kosovo's independence and there is room for the de-recognition campaign to continue and for a certain group of countries to change their decisions'', Tanjug news agency reported.

"It is not for me to mention the names of countries that could be in the group of countries for which a change of attitude is expected. We have 28 de-recognitions in the eight years of the campaign that was in full swing, and I believe there is room to talk with a certain group of countries and continue that process”, Starovic told K1 television commenting on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's statement that good news can be expected soon regarding the withdrawal of recognitions of Kosovo.

Starovic said that in 2017 Suriname was the first to withdraw the recognition and that by September 2020 and the signing of the Washington Agreement, 18 other countries had done so. Starovic said that the Washington Agreement stipulated a one-year moratorium on the derecognition campaign led by Belgrade, and Pristina to suspend its aspirations for membership in the Council of Europe and other international organizations.

"The idea was to extend the moratorium after one year, but the Pristina side was not ready for that, and when they applied for membership in the Council of Europe in May 2022, we continued with the derecognition campaign and another 10 countries changed their position," Starovic said.

Vucic, Rubio meeting is a sign that USA respects Serbia and wants to improve relations

Starovic also said the meeting with President Aleksandar Vucic was the only official meeting on the agenda of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, assessing it shows the interest of the US in the political positions of Serbia and the improvement of bilateral relations, as well as that it is a sign of respect for Serbia. Starovic said dialogue at the highest level with the USA was missing in previous years and recalled that recently the Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric met with Marco Rubio in Washington, which, as he stated, was the first meeting in that format after eight years.

Head of NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo address on occasion of end of his mandate (FoNet, Danas)

Major General Enrico Barduani, in his address at the end of his mandate as commander of the NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo, assessed that decision on bridge in Mitrovica should be made in a dialogue in Brussels, and that perpetrators of the attacks in Banjska and on KFOR forces in 2023 must be brought to justice, Danas reported, citing Pristina based media.

Barduani told RTV 21 it is an obligation of the peacekeeping forces to maintain peace and stability, but he also emphasized that Serbia has its own clear red lines in Kosovo, which are determined by the UN Security Council Resolution.

“The red lines were established in the UN Security Council Resolution with a specific reference to the relationship between KFOR and Serbian military authorities. They are written in the Military Technical Agreement signed by NATO and Serbia in 1999. I can add that our mission remains focused on contributing to a safe and stable environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo,” Barduani said.

He noted with regret that Belgrade and Pristina have not achieved significant progress in the normalization of relations for a long time. “Even during my mandate, I was aware of the direct impact of the current deadlock in the dialogue on the security situation, and we cannot rule out the risk of political issues turning into security issues”, Barduani warned.

Two years after Banjska clashes: Village mostly deserted, heavy police presence in north (KoSSev)

Two years after deadly clashes shook the village of Banjska, the site once known as a tourist destination was largely deserted today. Only the families of the three Serbian men killed on September 24, 2023, alongside dozens of journalists from Serbian and Albanian media outlets, were present. The Banjska Monastery, as in a previous year, was closed to visitors, KoSSev portal reported.

On September 24, 2023, Kosovo Police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed in an ambush and roadblock in Banjska. A firefight ensued with a heavily armed group led by Milan Radoicic, resulting in the deaths of three local Serbs – Bojan Mijailović and Igor Milenković from Leposavic, and Stefan Nedeljković from Zvecan. Three others were arrested in Banjska.

NATO later described the incident as a “security incident.” One year on, judicial proceedings began against the three arrested men, but the court rejected a request to hold a trial in absentia for 42 accused individuals – 41 persons and one legal entity – charged with participating in the Banjska attack.

Kosovo top officials have repeatedly described the incident as an “act of aggression” or a “terrorist attack,” claiming it had the backing of official Belgrade. In Brussels, EU officials have referred to it as a “serious security incident.”

Read the full article at: https://shorturl.at/ERhSg

Mijacic: No agreement foresees integration of Serbian healthcare and education into Kosovo system (RTS)

Coordinator of the National Convention Working Group for EU Chapter 35, Dragisa Mijacic told RTS morning news edition that integration of Serbian healthcare and education institutions into the Kosovo system has not been foreseen by any agreement reached in Brussels or Ohrid. He warned that the government in Pristina is gradually narrowing the space for the functioning of these institutions, without an adequate reaction from the international community.

Mijacic reiterated that neither the Brussels Agreement from 2013 nor later documents oblige Belgrade to integrate Serbian healthcare and education into the institutional system of Kosovo.

“The 2013 Agreement does not resolve the issue of healthcare and education of Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija. The Community of Serb Municipalities has the authority to supervise, but not to organize these institutions”, Mijacic said.

He pointed out these issues have never been officially negotiated within the framework of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue: “Healthcare and education have remained off the negotiating table. The only document that guarantees Serbs education in the Serbian language is the Ahtisaari plan, incorporated into the Kosovo Constitution. But even that does not foresee financing or organization from Belgrade”, he added.

According to him, the new draft Statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities, which the Kosovo side has not yet officially accepted, foresees that these institutions will become private and that they will be established by the Community of Serb Municipalities itself. “Hospitals and schools would be private, financed from Belgrade, but through the accounts of the Community of Serb Municipalities and under the control of Pristina”, he said.

Pristina seeks to declare Serbian institutions illegal

He noted that Pristina seeks to present Serbian healthcare and education institutions in Kosovo as illegal and is striving to find a way to abolish them. “At the moment, there is a Serbian healthcare and education system functioning in Kosovo and Metohija, but the authorities in Pristina claim that they are illegal and are trying to find a way to abolish them”, Mijacic warned.

He also emphasized that the international community is interested in preserving the Serbian educational and healthcare infrastructure in Kosovo, because these institutions represent key pillars of the survival of the local Serbian population - both in terms of providing services and due to the large number of jobs they provide. Precisely for this reason, he said, international actors have an interest in mediating in finding a solution that will be acceptable to both sides.

Systemic closure of institutions – “boiled frog tactics”

Mijacic warned that Pristina is already implementing measures that make it difficult for Serbian institutions to function: “The dinar has been abolished, pressure is being exerted on the security of facilities, a law on foreigners is being prepared that will prevent professors from central Serbia from working in North Mitrovica. Private clinics are receiving inspection orders to close them”, Mijacic said.

He in particular emphasized the danger of the gradual closure of Serbian institutions. “Healthcare and educational institutions are not being closed directly, but the conditions for their work are being abolished. That is a tactic – boiled frog”, he pointed out.

Mijacic also criticized statements of outgoing German Ambassador in Pristina, Jorn Rohde, that agreements imply integration of Serbian systems into Kosovo’s.

“What Mr. Rohde is saying is not said anywhere. There are no such guarantees in any document. Someone should have asked him - where does it say that? The integration of Serbian health and educational institutions into the system of Kosovo is not foreseen by any agreement reached in Brussels or Ohrid”, Mijacic told RTS.

Rada Trajkovic: Message of all Serbs should be that Radoicic has no place at large (KiM radio)

The attack in Banjska that Milan Radoicic organized and carried out with his group two years ago created huge problems for the Serbs in Kosovo, Rada Trajkovic, president of the European Movement of Kosovo Serbs opined. Instead of explaining to the international community and the Serbs in Kosovo what happened, Serbia, said Trajkovic, released Radoicic from accountability.

She said Serbs have lost a lot due to the attack in Banjska, not only the lives of people, but also the population that moved out in the meantime, reported KiM radio.

"Normally, the loss of life is the greatest regret. Whether it was three young Serbs and a policeman who was on duty. But we as Serbs lost or suffered a terrible loss. First of all, when that group gathered around Radoicic left, we lost a vital part of the population of northern Kosovo, those who had families are outside the territory of Kosovo and Metohija now."

After this incident, said Trajkovic, there was "terrible repression by the authorities from Pristina and police repression that resulted in the sudden departure of the population from the north of Kosovo, but not only from the north of Kosovo..." Trajkovic says she expected Serbia to act responsibly after Milan Radoicic accepted responsibility for the attack in Banjska.

"I thought that the state would isolate the man who accepted responsibility for what happened in Banjska, that he would be held accountable, and that for a large part of those gathered around him, they would find a way for them to socialize and return to Kosovo, just as the international community did with the members of the so-called KLA".

Since this did not happen, the Serbs in Kosovo are suffering and their life in Kosovo is difficult, she adds. "Arrests have taken place - fellow citizens from all over Kosovo are arrested, taken into custody almost on a daily basis, they are shown to be armed, and we all know in fact that the culture of holding weapons is common to all residents of Kosovo, regardless of nationality."

Trajkovic says Serbia has released Milan Radoicic from all responsibility. "Instead of state working on projects that will explain many things to the international community and the Serbs, it took Radoicic, completely freed him from all responsibility, and now he and that group of young men, unfortunately, are working to destabilize Serbia, which aims to essentially mistreat the Serbs in the rest of Serbia. As it happened yesterday, when they appeared in places where voting and establishment of some democratic institutions are expected", said Rada Trajkovic.

She added that Serbs in Kosovo are in big trouble, and that they are "not ready to give up Radoicic". "I don't know what the reasons are. But for the sake of the future, a clear message to all Serbs should be that Radoicic has no place at large, and that the responsibility for what happened in Banjska should be a project that will include all those responsible - for the Serbs in particular, because three lives were lost, because they fled, were pulled out of Kosovo, they left injured comrades to die or be finished or executed until death, because some remained and were arrested, and they escaped saving everyone just themselves".

Radoicic and the group gathered around him, says Rada Trajkovic, left the people of Kosovo in trouble, but "with the desire to rule over the Serbs." "Literally, the people must not pass or cross the line drawn by Radoicic and cross the order he delivers." Except in such a situation, the Serbs, she says, on the other hand have a "repressive political regime from Pristina".

KiM radio recalled that according to the indictment of the Special Prosecutor's Office of Kosovo, Milan Radoicic, is the main suspect for the attack and the organization of the attack in Banjska. In addition to him, this indictment includes 44 other persons for participating in the "terrorist attack". The court process in Pristina has started, but only three persons who were arrested after the attack are on trial for the incident in Banjska. The rest are on the run. The prosecution's request to try the others in absentia was rejected.

Disinformation: Let's start from our backyard, what is propaganda and spin in Kosovo (KiM radio, Media Center Caglavica)

Disinformation has been on the rise in recent years, and it is part of the brutalization of international relations and the increase of information warfare, said the French Ambassador in Pristina, Olivier Guerot. Journalists Tatjana Lazarevic and Festim Rizanaj confirmed that there is misinformation and fake news in Kosovo. They pointed to the fact that during the current election campaign, representatives of the ruling parties in Serbia and Kosovo promote certain political parties in their public appearances and thus manipulate the public, reported KiM radio.

"Disinformation and fake news in pre-election campaigns - how to protect voters and preserve the democratic process" was the topic of yesterday's debate at the Caglavica Media Center. The participants of this panel talked about disinformation and propaganda not only in Kosovo, but also in Europe and the world.

"Disinformation is not some lunatics who share whatever they want or teenagers who cause some nonsense for the sake of it - no, it is a very well-organized campaign, a very well-financed campaign and they are part of an evolution in which, unfortunately, force prevails over international law and confrontation prevails over cooperation. This is not something we should accept, we can face it, oppose this evolution and the recognition of the State of Palestine by France and many countries is a concrete way of restoring cooperation without naivety, against a brutal war," said the French ambassador, Olivier Guerot.

Omnipresent propaganda

The KoSSev portal editor in chief, Tatjana Lazarevic, says that propaganda is omnipresent, but that chances of local Serbian media fighting against it are small, because, as she added, they do not have enough people in their newsrooms. "What chance do small media, newsrooms in Serbian (language) have to fight against propaganda and fake news if they are small, free islands or even individuals of our several newsrooms that rely on one, two or three people. Therefore, it is very difficult to fight against censorship." However, she emphasized that in Kosovo there is still a "vibrant scene" of small Serbian media that cannot survive without international support.

Referring to the work of the Albanian newsrooms, Lazarevic said that she does not see the difference "between the storm of propaganda" coming from the majority political sector or the Serbian sector from Belgrade. "We are exposed to terrible propaganda, terrible censorship, the main threat we are dealing with is the intensity of propaganda machines, propaganda groups, spinners, those who bring censorship and on the other hand, journalists are tired, editorial offices are weak," said the editor of KoSSev.

Speaking about the current election campaign, Lazarevic said among those "who are competing, the most basic media literacy is missing." They do not understand what communication with the public means and what the attitude should be towards the media. It is a pre-democratic society, I would say, those are rather subjects and individuals who are seriously media illiterate," she said.

Rizanaj: Influence of Serbian politicians to vote for Serbian List

Festim Rizanaj from the Hibrid.info portal said that social media is the main source of information, especially in this period before the local elections in Kosovo. Rizanaj says monitoring established that disinformation published on Tik Tok is often used. Only during the period of the parliamentary elections on February 9, ten incorrect pieces of information from Tik Tok were observed, which, he says, became viral. He also emphasized that fake accounts are being opened on social networks that are used for manipulation.

Speaking about the "external influence" on the campaign for the upcoming local elections, that is, the influence on voters from the Serbian community, Rizanaj singled out two examples.

"Milos Vucevic, president of the Serbian Progressive Party and advisor for regional issues to the President of Serbia, who said - 'voting for Serbian List serves to show the legitimate strength of the Serbian people and to refute all those lies of those who want Kosovo without Serbs'. Also, we have Arno Guyon, the director of the Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, who expressed that 'the Serbs should support the Serbian List because that victory is a guarantee that the voice of the Serbian people will be heard'. So, it is the influence of Serbian politicians and officials to direct Serbian votes towards the Serbian List with the idea that their life in Kosovo depends on it," Rizanaj said.

Lazarevic: Let's start from this yard of ours

Tatjana Lazarevic added that Vucevic is not the only Serbian official who is trying to influence the will of the voters in Kosovo, but she asked her Albanian colleagues if any media, including Hibrid.info, noticed how Kosovo's high officials are inappropriately and illegally involved in the campaign for local elections. "Do you think it's okay for the outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo to directly influence the will of the voters in a video message in the Serbian language when he speaks in the worst terms about the Serbian List and then favors another candidate, i.e. his party, praising Nenad Rasic? First, do you think it is okay for the outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo to first record a video message in the Serbian language, in the middle of the election campaign? Second, sending direct pre-election messages for local elections in Kosovo? He explicitly mentions a political party in the most negative possible context that has been verified in his institutions to compete for elections and then praises an official who represents a party that is also competing. For me it is a flagrant example, before Milos Vucevic, I would have noticed it first if I am following the critical opinion in Kosovo and the campaign of disinformation and influence on local elections," Lazarevic stressed.

She also gave another example. "We had an influential ambassador of an important country who, as far as I'm concerned, was on the verge of getting involved in the campaign for local elections. I don't know how ethical that is. Whatever he was saying. There's no need to name names, you know exactly what happened last week. He was on the verge of good taste. The ambassador of a foreign country gets involved in an election campaign based on what the party competing for local elections said. It doesn't matter if a lie was told. So, let's start from this yard of ours, let's see what is propaganda here, what is spin here, what is misinformation here, before we talk for years about cancerous foreign influence that I don't have nothing against (talking about it), but I would like us to be balanced in that critical thinking and start from what is happening here," she emphasized.

When asked about the different approach, i.e. reporting, of Serbian and Albanian media during the crisis - especially in the north of Kosovo, the panel participants pointed out that the biggest problem is lack of knowledge of the language and the use of only official statements coming from Pristina when it comes to Albanian media. They emphasized that it is necessary to learn both languages to have a deep understanding of the communities. Learning the language, as well as the fight against misinformation, are part of a project supported by the French Embassy, which involves several media reporting in Serbian and Albanian, reported KiM radio.

Brnabic: We are grateful to Azerbaijan for respecting territorial integrity of Serbia (Tanjug)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic began an official visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday by laying wreaths at the tomb of the country's national leader, Heydar Aliyev, and at the Eternal Flame memorial in the Alley of Martyrs in Baku, Tanjug news agency reported.

During the visit, Brnabic met her counterpart Sahiba Gafarova, and is scheduled to meet other high officials including Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Finance Minister Sahil Babayev and Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov.

During the meeting with her counterpart Gafarova, Branbic expressed gratitude for the stance of Azerbaijan to respect territorial integrity of Serbia and for considering Kosovo part of Serbia.

International

High manganese presence leads Prishtina searching for long-term water supply solutions (PI)

For the third consecutive year, high concentrations of manganese have persisted for over a month in Badovc Lake—one of Kosovo’s most important water sources—making the water unsafe to drink. The underlying causes remain unclear and institutional efforts are being redirected towards designing long-term interventions to deal with the issue.

In the village of Hajvali, 10 kilometres distance from Badovc lake, the main source of water for Prishtina and its surrounding villages, local resident Imer Demaj pushes a cart filled with empty canisters toward a nearby road in order to catch the next water delivery from the municipality’s tanker truck.

“It’s a bit far from my home, but the real issue is that we can’t always catch the water truck.”

With the main water source compromised, the municipality’s water supply company “Prishtina” has been dispatching tanker trucks—known locally as “autobots”—to distribute clean water to affected areas. But for many residents, the system is far from reliable.

“Hopefully, the authorities find a solution soon. [The cart] is too heavy and it’s too far to carry it like this,” Demaj said.

He also complained about receiving regular monthly water bills despite the supply disruption: “If we’re not getting drinking water, at least don’t charge us the full amount.”