The founder of the online news portal Kosovo Online and owner of the company VIM Info, Dušan Milanović, was detained by Kosovo Police on Saturday morning. Milanović, a resident of Leposavić, has been placed in 48-hour custody and faces allegations of terrorism.
According to reports from Kosovo Online, police arrived at Milanović’s home at 8:45 AM to conduct a search and subsequently took him into custody at 9:20 AM. He was first held at a police station in Leposavić before being transported to Mitrovica. His lawyer, Dejan A. Vasić, stated yesterday that he is unaware of Milanović’s exact location.
Authorities claim that Milanović is linked to the administration of a Telegram channel known as “Koridor,” which they allege is involved in illicit activities. However, both Milanović’s legal counsel and Serbia’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija have categorically denied these allegations.
Lawyer Anticipates Quick Resolution
Speaking to KoSSev, lawyer Dejan A. Vasić dismissed the accusations, emphasizing that they lack basis.
“This is not true. The investigating officers assured me that forensic analysis of his phone will be expedited, and I expect Dušan to be released shortly,” Vasić said.
The Koridor Telegram channel is a relatively new platform, created on April 2, 2023, with its first post published on May 31, coinciding with police operations in northern Kosovo. Another post appeared on September 24, the day of violent clashes in Banjska.
Official Reaction
In a press briefing held in South Mitrovica, Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, confirmed Milanović’s arrest but denied it was related to his media activities.
“I can assure you that he was not arrested for being part of the media but based on indications of involvement in unlawful and irregular activities,” Sveçla stated.
Company’s Double Registration
Milanović’s company, VIM Info D.O.O., is registered in both Kosovo and Serbia. While Milanović is listed as the sole owner in Kosovo’s business registry, Serbian records indicate that the company is owned by Avala Media Group DOO Beograd, led by Ivan Jakšić. Jakšić is also the director and editor-in-chief of Kosovo Online and a former member of the media team of Marko Đurić, Serbia’s ex-head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.
Allegations of Political Targeting
The Office for Kosovo and Metohija, a Serbian government body, issued a statement describing Milanović’s arrest, as well as the other arrests made yesterday, as “groundless and politically motivated.”
The office further claimed that allegations of his connection to the Koridor channel are fabricated, accusing Kosovo authorities of using the case as a pretext to charge him with terrorism.
“Events related to the Ibar-Lepenac channel are being used by Kurti for unlawful detentions and intimidation against the Serbian community,” the statement said.
Calls for Milanović’s Release
The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS), including its Kosovo branch, has called for Milanović’s immediate release, demanding that he be allowed to defend himself against the serious charges from outside detention.
Milanović is a well-known figure in Leposavić. In 2022, he received the municipality’s October Award for humanitarian work, reported Kosovo Online at the time. Described as a physiotherapist by profession and an advocate for youth development, he has been credited with organizing cultural events and improving local conditions for young people.
Despite his public profile, Milanović has previously avoided discussing his charitable work publicly, according to Kosovo Online.
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Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
