Kosovo’s Interior Minister, Xhelal Sveçla, has for the first time publicly named a suspect in the 2023 killing of Kosovo Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, less than a week before the two-year anniversary of the Banjska clashes.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Sveçla identified N.R., known by the nickname “Gandi,” as the prime suspect in the deadly bombing. Earlier in the day, ammunition and military equipment were discovered inside an abandoned trailer in Korilje, near Zvecan — material police believe is linked to the Banjska events.
According to Sveçla, the seized weapons and equipment belong to N.R., who is already indicted over the Banjska incident. “This is clear evidence that this criminal group, directed by Serbia, has been preparing for a long time and has never given up on attempts to undermine the constitutional and legal order of the Republic of Kosovo,” he stated.
Sveçla also renewed accusations against Belgrade, insisting that as long as Serbia refuses to extradite the suspects, they will continue to pose a threat to Kosovo.
“Kosovo’s security institutions have never been more present in the north and will not tolerate even the slightest attempt by these criminal and terrorist elements to endanger Kosovo,” he added.
Banjska Case Background
The seizure comes just days ahead of the second anniversary of the September 24, 2023, clashes in Banjska, in which Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed by an explosive device and two other Kosovo Police officers were wounded. The incident escalated into a shootout between Kosovo Police and a group of armed and uniformed Serbs, leaving three Serbs from the north dead.
The group was led by Milan Radoičić, who later claimed responsibility after footage of the events emerged, and three Serbs were arrested. A year later, proceedings began against the three detainees, while the court rejected a motion to try 42 other defendants — 41 individuals and one legal entity — in absentia for their alleged roles in the Banjska attack.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
