Janjic says the decision to declare Northern Brigade and Civil Protection as terrorist is the „worst possible response“

Political analyst Dusan Janjic described the Kosovo government’s decision to declare „Civil Protection“ and „Northern Brigade“ as „terrorist organizations” as political and the „worst possible response.“ Janjic warned that it could lead to a decree that would introduce a „special police-controlled emergency state“ resulting in new protests and arrests of Serbs. The recent incidents in the north „can hardly“ be construed as the act of terrorism, while EULEX and KFOR did not support such a decision by the Kosovo government, thus a „fierce response“ is expected, Janjic says. He anticipates that Belgrade, in agreement with NATO, will start implementing de-escalation measures controlled by Belgrade, as well as to hire a lawyer because „it is suspected that it (cf. Belgrade) was the one who sent the terrorists.“

Janjic stated that he is not surprised by the Kosovo government’s decision to declare „Civil Protection“ and the “Northern Brigade“ as terrorist organizations.

He claims that it is a political decision and that we will see „whether it is possible for political decisions to be turned into law.“

Janjic emphasized that this presents a „big burden“ for the Kosovo Assembly and the Kosovo public.

If he wanted to kill himself politically, he didn’t have to involve the assembly

Janjic pointed to the fact that that Kurti cannot amend the law without the assembly.

For that to happen, it is not sufficient to simply declare those two bodies as being ‘terrorist.’

„There are other norms regarding the fight against terrorism – for example, the criminal offense of terrorism, but here we are dealing with two special organizations that the government declares terrorist and only by decree with reference to that law,“ explained Janjic.

He says that it would be more understandable if the Government in Pristina had said that „two groups were active for some time and carried out paramilitary actions“.

„That would be a valid classification. But the problem is that it is not defined by the laws of Kosovo – the existence of paramilitary units, and secondly – that the government tolerated it, if the groups operated, and we know that they existed before. And they were most publicly present since 2022, precisely from the moment when that government initiated the famous reciprocity policy.“

Janjic added that the US announced in 2022 that the „problem of paramilitary structures“ would be solved.

„At that time, no one mentioned terrorists, not even when they mentioned members of the Wagner group,“ Janjic said.

From a decree to the introduction of a special police-controlled emergency state

This political analyst notes that in special cases the government can abuse its powers and pass a decree.

„It can do that, but it’s a violation of certain international standards that regulate who can be declared a terrorist,“ he added.

He underlined that with such a decree, the Kosovo government could only „introduce a special police-controlled emergency state“ in a political and legal sense, thus aiming to “provoke new protests and arrests within the Serbian community. Those people are linked to the Serbian community and Serbia“.

Janjic pointed out that decision by the Kosovo government is the „worst possible response“, considering that it comes on the day when the Summit of Leaders of EU countries begins, where the incidents in the north are expected to be criticized, with calls for de-escalation of the situation.

The international community will not support it

According to him, the Kosovo government with such a decree certainly cannot get verification, but also the cooperation of international authorities in the prosecution of terrorism.

„I suppose Kosovo has something to do with EULEX, with the presence of NATO – KFOR. I absolutely do not believe that those institutions, maybe they were informed, but that they supported it – that is not the case,“ Janjic said.

He emphasized that there is no argument that can justify such a decision.

„Let’s wait, I’m sure the answer will be fierce. As for the credibility of NATO, KFOR and EULEX, this is a direct blow to them. Because the message here is that they have allowed the existence of terrorist organizations since 2017.“

On the other hand, the Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs said that there was coordination with „international partners“ regarding this decision.

Attacks on KFOR can hardly be construed as an act of terrorism

Commenting on the Serbs who were arrested in the north of Kosovo during the latest crisis, who are accused of attacks on members of KFOR, Janjic claims that this cannot be classified as an act of terrorism.

They will be prosecuted as per Kosovo laws, that is, for attacking officials, that is, endangering persons under international protection, he added.

„It can hardly be construed as the act of terrorism even if they legalize it, because at most it can be classified as paramilitary.“

He revealed that he does not see the intention of the Kosovo prime minister to de-escalate the situation and the willingness to talk.

I think this is the way to legalize terrorism but under other names

On the other hand, he states that there is an international agreement that mandates that Serbia should participate actively in trials when it comes to providing data and legal representation.

He claims that an example of this was seen recently when the head of the Liaison Office in Kosovo visited the arrested Serbs, and the head of the Liaison Office in Belgrade visited the arrested members of the Kosovo Police.

What can Belgrade do?

Janjic, on the other hand, says that Belgrade is obliged to inform Lajcak and Borrell about Pristina’s decision, discuss it with NATO and KFOR, and harmonize the terrorism standards that have been applied.

He also says that Belgrade should not „fall for provocation“:

„So that it doesn’t make the mistake of declaring some Albanian organization on the territory of Serbia as terrorist. It must not fall into that trap of inciting terrorism. Then it would be inciting terrorism.“

In his words, this is a sign that Belgrade „needs to ignore Kurti“ and that, in agreement with NATO, it should start implementing de-escalation measures that are under its control.

„These are to decrease combat readiness of the police and the army on the territory of Serbia, near the administrative line and deliver all the data it has.“

For that to happen, a mechanism must be agreed upon and a lawyer needs to be authorized, Janjic specified.

„Serbia is affected here because it is accused of sending those terrorists. Belgrade will have to do this through international police organizations, but above all intelligence and, of course, political organizations such as NATO,“ concluded Janjic.