UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 25, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti travels to NY, to take part in UN General Assembly High-Level Week (media)
Hovenier calls on Kosovo and Serbia to fulfill obligations and take dialogue more seriously (media)
Rohde calls for concrete steps to establish the Association (media)
Lajcak meets Plotner, talk how to unblock implementation of Ohrid deal (media)
Maqedonci: Groups near border with Serbia are a threat to Kosovo (Dukagjini)
Torres: Those responsible for Banjska to be held accountable in Kosovo (media)
Hoxhaj says diplomacy turned Banjska victory into isolation, sanctions (media)
Osmani at Summit on Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats (media)
Kurti: Public administration reforms in the service of economic development (EO)
Kosovo confirms another statistic: “Serbia has stolen 3,274 artifacts” (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

Banjska case preliminary hearing: Names of all accused read out, trial to those arrested; Hearing postponed for October 9 (KiM radio, media)
"Broader autonomy": Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs, Svecla on Serbs’ health and education system in Kosovo (Danas, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)
Hovenier: No other way for Kosovo and Serbia than dialogue (Kosovo Online)
Vucic meets China FM Yi, tells him of difficulties Serbs in Kosovo face (Tanjug)
Vucic meets Iranian President, discuss Kosovo issue (Kosovo Online, media)
Serbian opposition submits request to hold debate on Kosovo, Vucic invited (N1)
EU Justice Commissioner: EC’s enlargement package “in a couple of weeks” (N1)
German Minister: Important for the CEFTA agreement to be concluded (DW)

International:

Silence over Kosovo’s stalled Council of Europe bid as France, Italy dig in their heels (Euractive)
Kosovo commemorates police sergeant killed in 2023 Banjska attack (BIRN)
Kosovo says indictments ignore Serbian role in deadly siege (RFE)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti travels to NY, to take part in UN General Assembly High-Level Week (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has traveled to New York where he will hold bilateral meetings with leaders as part of the UN General Assembly High-Level Week. A press release issued by Kurti’s office notes that the aim is “to strengthen bilateral cooperation with partner countries, further strengthening the international subjectivity of Kosovo in relation with non-recognizing countries, membership in international organizations, and presenting opportunities and advantages that Kosovo offers for foreign investors”.

During his stay in the U.S., Kurti will also meet with the representatives of the Albanian community in the U.S. and representatives of diaspora associations there. At the end of the visit, Kurti will hold a lecture at Yale University, “on the democratic path of the Republic of Kosovo 25 years after liberation, and on governance and economic growth”.

Hovenier calls on Kosovo and Serbia to fulfill obligations and take dialogue more seriously (media)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, has said that the message of his country is clear and simple, that Kosovo and Serbia act in full accordance with all the obligations taken in the dialogue and take the dialogue seriously.

“Our message is clear that commitment is needed for the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations with the ultimate goal of mutual recognition. This remains the clear intention of the U.S… We expect both governments to act in accordance with their commitments made in the dialogue. We expect them to take the dialogue seriously. One of the things that surprises me, in the talks I have had with various actors in Kosovo, is this assumption that there is another path besides dialogue. The suggestion that if the Americans, the Germans, choose to favor someone, then they do something with their fingers or a magic stick, make the appropriate discussions and Kosovo immediately becomes a member of NATO, the EU and other institutions. The world does not work like that,” Hovenier said in his speech at the Kosovo Summit for Peace and Democracy, entitled “Radical realities: ethno-political dynamics and Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans.”

He said that if it depended on the USA, Kosovo would be a member of the Euro-Atlantic organizations and Serbia would come close to accepting reality. He said that the U.S. will support Kosovo on the Euro-Atlantic path, but serious engagement in the process is needed.

"But I don't see how you can become a member of the EU without coordination with the EU, which means coordination with all EU member states. Or how do you become a member of NATO without the consent or coordination of all NATO members. You know that some NATO countries have not yet officially accepted the reality of a sovereign, democratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo in the way that we have. We have to convince them. We want to help. This means working in the process created by certain institutions. My grandfather always said that if you want to be part of a club, then don't pee on the door of the club. What I want to say is that we want to support Kosovo on the Euro-Atlantic path, we have done a lot, presidents, secretaries of state and ambassadors to advance this. We want to help. We expect every government of Kosovo to give us the best arguments, the best ammunition in these talks", said Hovenier.

He added that a new, more energetic commitment to dialogue is needed.

"If we didn't have the dialogue we currently have, what would we invent? We would have Kosovo, Serbia, and we would have the facilitator, the EU, since the future of Kosovo will be in Europe, and we would have the support of the USA and other partners. So, we would start from the beginning the same thing. New commitment to dialogue is needed from everyone, the internationals, the Government of Kosovo, the Government of Serbia. What we need is seriousness and purpose in dialogue. A new, more energetic approach is needed from both sides. The most successful negotiators always think of a 'win-win' situation. They think about how to get something, but also their colleague to get something to be satisfied. It's a process. The U.S. wants to see this but without compromising the foundations of Kosovo. Any change in the sovereignty, independence or territorial integrity or democracy of Kosovo would not be a victory. But it is not a victory when the rights of minorities are not respected", he said.

He noted that the EU expansion plan is a good tool for the advancement of all countries in the region.

Rohde calls for concrete steps to establish the Association (media)

German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, called on the Kosovo government to make concrete steps for the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities, adding that this is a crucial action for the integration of Serbs in Kosovo’s institutions.

In his address at the third edition of the Kosovo Summit for Peace and Democracy, Rohde outlined the need for Kosovo and Serbia to implement the Basic Agreement from Brussels and the implementation annex accorded in Ohrid.

Lajcak meets Plotner, talk how to unblock implementation of Ohrid deal (media)

EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, said in a post on X that in the margins of the UN General Assembly, he met with Jens Plotner, Foreign Policy and Security Advisor to the German Chancellor, and they talked about the situation in the Western Balkans and how to unblock the implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. “Grateful for the strong German commitment to the normalization process,” he said.

Maqedonci: Groups near border with Serbia are a threat to Kosovo (Dukagjini)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defence, Ejup Maqedonci, in an interview with Dukagjini on Tuesday on the 1st anniversary of the attack in Banjska, said that “Radoicic’s group and similar groups continue to be near the border [with Serbia] and they constitute a threat to Kosovo”. He also claimed that Serbia continues to support such groups. “Being that these groups have meanwhile carried out different activities, including training and regrouping, there is a threat that these groups could be used by state structures in Serbia to carry out terrorist acts in our country,” he was quoted as saying.

Maqedonci also said that in the case of the four northern municipalities, Kosovo’s authorities continue to respect a decision made in 2013 not to engage the Kosovo Security Force without prior coordination with KFOR.

Torres: Those responsible for Banjska to be held accountable in Kosovo (media)

U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres said in a Facebook post on Tuesday “today marks one year since the terrorist attack in Banjska, Kosovo. May we honor the sacrifice of police officer Afrim Bunjaku in protecting the public during this attack, and demand that those who committed this attack are held accountable for their actions within Kosovo”.

Hoxhaj says diplomacy turned Banjska victory into isolation, sanctions (media)

Former Foreign Minister of Kosovo and senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Enver Hoxhaj, said in a Facebook post today that Kosovo police and security structures scored a victory after the aggression in Banjska, “but there was a colossal failure of [Kosovo’s] diplomacy, because Serbia was not sanctioned as the one responsible for the aggression, and the opposite happened – isolation and sanctions against Kosovo”. “Kosovo was not only left under sanctions, but also removed from the partnership with western allies, by enabling Serbia to get closer and turn to the west. Serbia today is more appeased than before the attack in Banjska, while the Kosovo government, which had promised that there would be no dialogue without the extradition of the authors of Banjska, discussed with Belgrade today in Brussels about the borders of Kosovo’s municipalities and the Iber bridge. One year of respect for the police and security structures, as well as for the allies that supported them, and remembering the diplomatic fiasco that Kosovo is experiences: what the Kosovo police managed to do on the ground, as a genuine historic victory, the diplomacy turned it into a strategic loss,” Hoxhaj argued.

Osmani at Summit on Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for the invitation to join the Summit on the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. “Kosovo remains committed to working with the U.S. and other global partners to combat these threats,” Osmani said in a post on X.

Kurti: Public administration reforms in the service of economic development (EO)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that reforms in the public administration are in the service of using the full potential and commitment of talents in the service of social progress and the economic development of Kosovo. Through a video message, Kurti commended the Ministry of Interior Affairs for continuing the initiative which he said supports comprehensive and ambitious reforms in public administration. He also said that the achievements would not have been possible without the support of international friends.

“The goal of this government is not and will never be against civil officials and servants or against the advices of friends in the EU, because for the first we have a moral duty for their work and the quality of services for the citizens, and for the latter we have political tasks to move forward in the irreversible process of regional and EU integration,” Kurti said.

Kosovo confirms another statistic: “Serbia has stolen 3,274 artifacts” (Koha)

The news website reports that according to Kosovo’s authorities, Serbia has “stolen” a total of 3,724 artifacts from Kosovo and this is confirmed in a report drafted by Kosovo’s state committee for research, registration, inventory, assessment and documenting objects of cultural and historical heritage destroyed during the conflict in 1998-1999.

Serbian Language Media

Banjska case preliminary hearing: Names of all accused read out, trial to those arrested; Hearing postponed for October 9 (KiM radio, media)

In Pristina, the preliminary hearing against 45 persons accused in this case began before the Basic Court, reported KiM radio today.

The preliminary hearing began with the naming of all 45 accused by Judge Arben Hoti. The prosecutor in this case is Naim Abazi. Previously, three people from Milan Radoicic's group who were arrested during the conflict in Banjska were brought into the courtroom. The prosecutor said that, given that only three persons who were arrested were present, it was not possible for the other defendants to be present during the investigation. According to the currently valid criminal code of Kosovo, it is possible for the indictment to be filed and the trial to be conducted in absentia.

Judge Abazi stated that the defendants are charged with the criminal offense of ''terrorism, aggravated murder, and that the acts cannot be statute-barred''. He confirmed that he has the ability to hold the trial in absentia.

Lawyer Ljubomir Pantovic, who is defending Blagoje Spasojevic, believes that the proposal of the prosecution for a trial in absentia for 42 persons cannot be accepted, but that he leaves it to the court to decide on it. The lawyer of the injured parties, Arijanit Koci, however, says that there are conditions for the trial to take place. He added that the court should decide whether to hold a trial in absentia, given that he does not have much experience in such court processes. Judge Hoti then said that he will request a legal opinion from the Supreme Court on whether a trial in absentia can be held in this case.

The court then made a decision to separate the criminal proceedings, since there are conditions for the trial of the defendants who were arrested - Vladimir Tolic, Blagoje Spasojevic and Dusan Maksimovic.

The hearing is attended by the defense attorneys of the three arrested, as well as family members.

Also, as injured parties present were members of the KP who were on patrol with the murdered Afrim Bunjaku during the attack in Banjska on September 24 last year.

The preparatory hearing is followed by a large number of journalists and media teams.

The hearing postponed for October 9

KiM radio reported in a separate article that lawyers of the three arrested demanded the postponement of the hearing because the documents were delivered to them at the beginning of the week only in electronic form, as well as the 158-page indictment. They stated that they are unable to provide adequate defense to the defendants. The judge accepted their request, despite the opposition of the prosecutor.

"Broader autonomy": Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs, Svecla on Serbs’ health and education system in Kosovo (Danas, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)

Kosovo Minister of the Interior Xhelal Svecla stated in an interview with RFE that the Serbian community in Kosovo has additional rights and privileges in the fields of education and health, through the municipal authorities, and that they will be treated specifically in relation to other institutions, reported Danas.

Svecla explained that they will not continue to function according to the Serbian system, but their activities will be defined within the laws of Kosovo.

Svecla stated that according to Ahtisaari's plan, the Serbian community in the fields of education and health, through the municipal authorities, "has wider autonomy".

He stated that healthcare and education have "some additional rights, some privileges, which they are not interested in touching because they are also regulated by law."

"Therefore, we will be more careful in these areas, in terms of properly defining their activities within the law of Kosovo," said Svecla.

He clarified that he did not say that they will continue to function according to the Serbian system.

"I say that these two areas have a specific situation and will be treated in a specific way, separate from the closure of other institutions that are already in the process," said Svecla.

Stating that the Kosovo Ministry of Health already conducts the necessary communications with the health system that operates in the municipalities where the Serbs are the majority, Svecla says that he believes that only increased coordination between both parties is needed so that everything is within the law.

"The same should apply to the education system," Svecla adds.

Hovenier: No other way for Kosovo and Serbia than dialogue (Kosovo Online)

The US Ambassador in Pristina, Geoffrey Hovenier, said that he expects Belgrade and Pristina to act in full compliance with all the obligations they have undertaken in the dialogue and added that "there is no other way", reported portal Kosovo Online.

"For those who have been in Kosovo for some time, you are probably familiar with the messages from the US about how we see the circumstances in efforts to improve the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, with the ultimate goal of mutual recognition. That remains the US goal, plain and simple. I don't think I need to spend time outlining the concerns we have about the policies that have been enacted in Belgrade and Pristina. Those concerns are real and have been noted. We expect both governments to act in full compliance with all the commitments they made in the dialogue. We expect them to take the dialogue seriously," said Hovenier at the Kosovo Peace and Democracy Summit Conference in Pristina.

He pointed out that he is surprised by the stories in Kosovo that there is some other way besides dialogue.

"There is a suggestion that if the Americans or the Germans, or whoever you like, would simply wave a magic wand or have a real conversation, those problems would disappear, and Kosovo would immediately become a full member of NATO and the EU and everything else. The world doesn't work that way, and I need to be clear about that. So if it was up to the US alone, if we were an empire, Roman at its height, and all countries would obey and do exactly what we tell them to do, which is not the case in the world today, even though we believe we have significant influence around the planet, we wouldn't be alone, we would see Kosovo much better integrated into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. Serbia would better accept the reality of a sovereign, independent, multi-ethnic, democratic, and peaceful neighbor," said the American ambassador.

He underlined that he does not see how Kosovo can become a member of the EU without the consent of the EU, which means the consent of the EU member states.

"I don't see how you can become a full member of NATO without the consent of all NATO members. As you know, some of those countries still haven't officially accepted the reality of an independent, democratic, multi-ethnic Kosovo like we have. You must convince them. We want to help. This implies working within the framework of processes established by various institutions. My grandfather had a saying, and I apologize for being a bit harsh: if you want to join the club, don't pee on the door of the club," he said.

Hovenier once again reiterated that the US wants to support Kosovo in its European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

"We have invested a lot, presidents, secretaries of state, ambassadors and others, to improve it. We know about the aspirations, very legitimate aspirations of the people of Kosovo to achieve this. We want to help. We expect every Kosovo government to provide us with the best possible arguments, the best possible ammunition in those talks. The more we can show a sovereign, democratic, multi-ethnic, prosperous, successful democracy, the easier it will be," he said.

Vucic meets China FM Yi, tells him of difficulties Serbs in Kosovo face (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met in New York with China Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the UN General Assembly session and informed him of the increasingly difficult situation Serbian people in Kosovo are in, and requested China’s support in the pursuit for truth and respect of international law, Tanjug news agency reported.

In a post on his official Instagram account, Vucic said he had an extremely important meeting with Wang Yi and discussed with him all the most important topics, ranging from bilateral relations between two states and further cooperation in the fields of mutual significance, to the global issues and problems the contemporary world is facing today.

"I acquainted him with the increasingly difficult situation for the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija and asked for Chinese support in the fight for truth and respect for international law", Vucic added.

Vucic meets Iranian President, discuss Kosovo issue (Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met in New York with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, with the difficult situation of Serbs in Kosovo being a particular topic of their meeting, Kosovo Online portal reported. Vucic also informed his Iranian counterpart of all challenges faced on the path to resolve numerous open and serious issues in this regard.

“I once again expressed gratitude to Iran for their consistent and steadfast position regarding territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, and emphasized that our country appreciates such a stance, while resisting numerous pressure, but also speaks of friendly relations between our two peoples. I used this opportunity to invite President Pezeshkian to visit Serbia, so we can discuss potentials for cooperation in numerous areas and strengthen our relations”, Vucic said in a post on Instagram.

“I have also emphasized the importance of the United Nations in the efforts to intensify dialogue and diplomatic activities aiming to quickly calm down all conflicts, whose consequences are deep and far-reaching. We exchanged opinions about the place and role of our states in the international political arena, as well as the need to use our influence in the best possible manner aiming at development, progress, peace, stability and economic connection, very much needed to all of us today”, Vucic also said.

Serbian opposition submits request to hold debate on Kosovo, Vucic invited (N1)

Serbian opposition MPs on Tuesday submitted a request to convene an emergency session of parliament to discuss Kosovo, and tabled a Draft Law on Representing and Protecting Serbia’s State Interests in Kosovo, proposed by New Democratic Party of Serbia (NDSS) leader Milos Jovanovic.

The draft law would require the government to provide the parliament with quarterly reports on the measures taken, as well as to submit a proposed decision containing Serbia’s political platform before each round of negotiations. The draft law was signed by all opposition groups except the Green-Left Front (ZLF), which supported holding the debate but not the proposed legislation, reported Nova.rs.

The request for the emergency parliamentary session on Kosovo was filed by the New DSS and the Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia (POKS), comprising the NADA coalition. It was backed by signatures from 90 MPs, more than the one-third (84 MPs) required to trigger a mandatory session. The request also asks for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to attend the session.

EU Justice Commissioner: EC’s enlargement package “in a couple of weeks” (N1)

The annual enlargement package will include a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made in all the enlargement countries, and recommend the further steps that need to be taken in order to accelerate the process, explained European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders following the first meeting of the European Council’s General Affairs Council with the European affairs ministers of Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, at which European Union’s (EU) rule of law reports on these four states were analyzed. He assessed that each of the four countries is “clearly committed to taking measures to strengthen the rule of law.”

“As the president of the EU commission underlined in her state of the Union address last year, the aim of this process is to put these countries on an equal footing with the member states and to support them further in their reforms. The accession process is and will remain a fully merit-based process with each candidate assessed on its own progress towards meeting all criteria. Adherence to the rule of law and fundamental values is a cornerstone of this process,” said Reynders, adding that the process will be expanded to include other “most advanced candidate countries in the process” in the coming years.

European affairs ministers of Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia participated for the first time in the European Council General Affairs Council meeting, in line with the EU’s plan to begin integrating candidate countries ahead of full enlargement. Hungarian Minister for European Affairs Janos Boka noted that these four countries were included for the first time in the EU Commission’s rule of law report, which was discussed at the meeting.

“We held a general exchange of rule of law matters with these candidate countries,” he said, adding that no formal conclusions were issued.

“I emphasize that these candidate countries were participating in the discussion on an equal footing, so we were exchanging views with them, and not about them,” said Boka, and added that enlargement remains one of EU’s key priorities during the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which runs until the end of the year.

He reiterated the assessment that “the EU is not complete without their inclusion.”

“We expect to make tangible progress in the EU accession of these candidate countries, and also to deepen cooperation through the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit and the European Political Community,” Boka emphasized.

In the Rule of Law Report published in June this year the European Commission strongly criticized Serbia, noting that political pressure on the judiciary and the prosecution service in Serbia remains high, and expressing concern about the safety of journalists in Serbia, doubts about the independence of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) and public broadcasters.

German Minister: Important for the CEFTA agreement to be concluded (DW)

Three weeks before the 10th jubilee summit of the Berlin Process of the WB countries, one of the preparatory conferences was held in Berlin, reported DW in Serbian language yesterday.

Topics: The CEFTA agreement, the issue of the "energy mix" and regional cooperation.

The economy and economic cooperation in the WB was the topic of the conference, and in addition to representatives of the competent ministries of the region, including Albania, BiH, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia, there were also officials of the partner countries of the Berlin Process. Among them are many regional members of the EU, such as Croatia, Bulgaria and Austria, as well as some countries that were connected to that process from the beginning, but meanwhile are not members of the Union, such as Great Britain.

"Great Britain is still interested in this process, and who knows, they might even want to return to the Union," joked the host of the conference, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), at the press conference. He also said that the political importance of this conference is not only based on the economic importance for the WB countries, but also on the importance of the region.

"It is a complicated region, there are conflicts that are still fresh. But it is a region that is important for Europe and Germany, and it is important that these countries develop in the direction of Europe," said Habeck.

Kosovo as the biggest obstacle?

The German minister mentioned the three most important points that were discussed in Berlin: the preparation of the CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) and EU agreements, then the issue of the energy mix and the issue of regional cooperation.

"It is important that the CEFTA agreement be concluded, that is the next step," Habeck said. He added that "there are some problems" on that road. When asked by a journalist whether it is perhaps a matter of blocking the import of products from Serbia, which was introduced more than a year ago by Kosovo PM Albin Kurti, Habeck replied that there was indeed a lot of discussion at the conference about unresolved problems between Serbia and Kosovo, and that they are trying to "find a compromise''.

In any case, he emphasized it is a problem that must be overcome. "Progress cannot depend on just one conflict, no matter how difficult it may seem," Habeck concluded. And he added that, if that problem is not solved, "other ways" should be found, reported DW in Serbian language among other things.

DW also reported that the next preparatory conference within the Berlin process will gather the WB ministers of foreign affairs, participating in the process in Berlin on October 1.

International

Silence over Kosovo’s stalled Council of Europe bid as France, Italy dig in their heels (Euractive)

As momentum around Kosovo’s bid to join the Council of Europe stagnates, stakeholders have refused to comment on reports suggesting the process is being hampered by France and Italy, two previously staunch supporters of their accession.

In March, the Strasbourg-based human rights organisation’s Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy recommended that Kosovo be invited to become a Council of Europe member, with the organisation’s parliamentary later voting in favour of Kosovo’s accession in a landslide vote in April.

However, Kosovo still needs to secure a two-thirds majority in the Committee of Ministers to complete its accession. A vote scheduled for May was postponed due to last-minute German demands that the EU-required Association of Serb Municipalities be set up first.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/556j9bux

Kosovo commemorates police sergeant killed in 2023 Banjska attack (BIRN)

A year after Serb gunmen shot dead a Kosovo Police officer in Banjska, the government renamed a road to the village after him, while the US and EU repeated their calls for justice to be served.

Albin Kurti at the renaming of the Ballaban-Banjska road after slain police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku. Photo: Kosovo PM’s Office.

One year after Kosovo Police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed when Serb gunmen led by Kosovo Serb kingpin Milan Radoicic attacked police in the village of Banjska, the authorities renamed a road leading to the village after him.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti, members of the cabinet, parliament speaker Glauk Konjufca and police director Gazmed Hoxha visited the site where Bunjaku was killed and unveiled the new road sign commemorating the slain policeman.

Kurti said the September 24, 2023 attack in Banjska “was a plan to attack Kosovo, it was an aggression against state sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace, security, constitutionality and legality”, which he said could be proved by the arsenal of weapons seized by police after the attack.

“Precisely for this reason, since we never forget this, today in this place we unveiled the sign which marks the new name of this road, ie. ‘Afrim Bunjaku’,” he added.

On September 11, Kosovo’s Special Prosecution charged Radoicic and 42 other individuals with terrorism and endangering the constitutional order of the country. Radoicic, together with his business partner, Radule Stevic, and his company, RAD D.O.O., are also charged with money-laundering.