The Banjska attack and Radoičić's lack of an indictment in Serbia

Category: Above the law

Period: from 24 Sep 2023

Outcome: Under investigation (as of 12 Oct 2026)

An armed group attacked the Kosovo Police in the village of Banjska on 24 September 2023; police officer Afrim Bunjaku and three of the attackers were killed. Milan Radoičić, until then vice-president of Srpska lista, claimed responsibility, saying he had no help from Belgrade, which denies involvement. Three years after the attack, the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade has still not indicted him, and Serbia refuses to extradite him to Kosovo. According to the Nova.rs portal, a commission of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office is now examining the case and why he was not remanded in custody.

The attack and the claim of responsibility

On 24 September 2023, an armed group attacked the Kosovo Police in the village of Banjska in northern Kosovo. Police officer Afrim Bunjaku was killed, as were three of the attackers in the exchange of fire.

Milan Radoičić, until then vice-president of Srpska lista, claimed responsibility, saying he had no help from the authorities in Belgrade. The Kosovo authorities claim the attack was organised by the Serbian state; no direct evidence of this has been presented, and Belgrade denies involvement.

Weapons from state factories

According to an analysis by BIRN, some of the seized ammunition and weapons were made or overhauled in Serbia's state-owned factories and plants. The defence minister considers this insignificant.

Investigation without an indictment

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade questioned Radoičić on 3 October 2023 on suspicion of illegal arms trafficking, criminal association and serious offences against public safety. It sought detention only on the grounds that he might flee, but the court rejected the request and instead banned him from leaving Serbia.

The chief prosecutor said a decision on an indictment would come by the end of 2024 or early 2025, but as of October 2026, three years after the attack, there is still no indictment against the man who publicly claimed responsibility; according to the prosecution, the investigation is still ongoing. After the elections in October 2026, according to the Nova.rs portal, a commission of the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office is examining the case and why Radoičić was not placed in detention.

Trial in Kosovo and extradition

In Kosovo, an indictment against 45 people was filed in September 2024, and in April 2026 three of those arrested were convicted at first instance. In October 2026, the Kosovo Special Prosecution filed a new terrorism indictment, as a continuation of the same proceedings, against another participant in the attack, who is in custody.

Serbia refuses to extradite Radoičić to Kosovo. In June 2026, Aleksandar Vučić said Radoičić is wanted not for crime but because of Kosovo.

SNS rally and calls from the EU and US

In October 2026, Radoičić appeared at an SNS election rally. The European Union, the European Parliament and the US have repeatedly called on Serbia to prosecute those responsible.

Participants

Milan Radoičić: He claimed responsibility for the Banjska attack in which a Kosovo police officer was killed; according to the investigation, he procured weapons for the group (responsible)
Aleksandar Vučić: He denied any link between Belgrade and the attack and said the attackers “will never be terrorists” (commented on the case)
Miloš Vučević: He said arms production in Serbia proves nothing (commented on the case)
Aleksandar Vulin: According to a Kosovo minister, one of the attackers killed had been his bodyguard in 2013; there was no response from Belgrade (commented on the case)
Marko Đurić: After a photograph of him with Radoičić was published, he said he had never been ashamed of the public contacts he has as part of his job (commented on the case)
Petar Petković: He attended the funeral of one of the attackers killed in Banjska, where Radoičić was also seen (commented on the case)
Nenad Stefanović: He announced a decision on an indictment by early 2025, but as of October 2026 it had not been made (investigation and courts)
Government of the Republic of Serbia: It has not responded to Kosovo's request for legal cooperation in the Banjska case and refuses to extradite Radoičić, for whom Interpol has issued a wanted notice (responsible)
Security Information Agency: According to Kosovo officials, Radoičić meets its members in Serbia; it did not answer RFE's question (commented on the case)
Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia: It did not answer RFE's questions about people named in the Kosovo indictment being at the camp, or about N1's claim that gendarmes guard Radoičić (commented on the case)
Serb List: Radoičić resigned as its vice-president on the same day he claimed responsibility (commented on the case)
Serbian Progressive Party: Radoičić appeared at its election rally in Kragujevac, and the party did not answer a question about it (commented on the case)
Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, Special Department for Combating Corruption: It questioned Radoičić and requested his detention; it has said the investigation is still ongoing, with no indictment (investigation and courts)
Higher Court in Belgrade: It rejected detention and barred Radoičić from leaving Serbia; the measure was later repeatedly extended (investigation and courts)
Special Prosecution Office of the Republic of Kosovo: It indicted 45 people, including Radoičić, and in 2026 another participant in the attack (investigation and courts)
Basic Court in Pristina: At first instance, it convicted the three men arrested, sentencing two to life imprisonment and one to 30 years (investigation and courts)
Kosovo Police: Patrol attacked; Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku killed (harmed)
Government of Kosovo: Claims the attack was organised by the Serbian state, which Belgrade denies, and released footage (oversight and the public)
BIRN: Says the ammunition was made in Serbia in 2022, and the mines and „Zolja“ launchers were overhauled in Kragujevac (oversight and the public)
European Union: Called on Serbia to prosecute suspects in Serbia and regretted that these steps had not been taken (oversight and the public)
European Parliament: Calls the attack a terrorist act and regrets that Serbia has not prosecuted those responsible (oversight and the public)
Government of the United States: Said it was monitoring the deployment of Serbian troops along the border and called on Serbia to withdraw them (oversight and the public)
Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office: Her commission is examining the case against Radoičić and why he was not remanded in custody (investigation and courts)
Zagorka Dolovac: On her instructions, a commission is examining the case against Radoičić (investigation and courts)

Victims and others harmed

Afrim Bunjaku