Kurti's statements on new attacks, Serbian Defense Ministry reacts

2023-12-23 19:20:09Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Kurti's statements on new attacks, Serbian Defense Ministry reacts

Serbia's Defense Ministry has denied allegations made by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that members of the group that attacked Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zvecan on September 24, are training at some military ranges.

"It is a complete lie and absurdity that the training grounds of the Armed Forces of Serbia are being used for training of any unit, except for units of the Armed Forces of Serbia and occasionally the Ministry of Internal Affairs," the ministry said, also rejecting that there are plans for attacks on the territory of Kosovo.
Earlier on December 23, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that Milan Radyičić, and his group, are preparing to carry out new attacks on Kosovo. Radonic, former deputy chairman of Lista Srpska, has claimed responsibility for the attack in Banjska, where a Kosovo policeman was killed. During the clashes that followed on September 24, three Serbian attackers were also killed. Kosovo blames the attack on Serbia, but Belgrade denies any involvement.

Kurti mentioned several locations in Serbia, including military ranges, where he claimed that members of Radoicic's group are being trained. The Prime Minister claimed that a group of 80 people who have left Kosovo are continuing exercises at the Zimovnik range, near Raska, and that the exercises are being led by retired Serbian military personnel. He also mentioned the Serbian army's range in Peshter, where he said exercises of a group of 60 civil defense groups, which Kurti said took part in the attack in Banjska, were resumed.

"This group had planned attacks on our police after the elections in Serbia were over at border locations related to illegal alternative routes," Kurti said, saying the group consists of Radoicic's trusted people.
Kurti also mentioned a plan for a November attack to retake Radoicic's villa near Ujman Lake, which Kosovar authorities seized after the September 24 attack. However, Kurti said all these plans are doomed to fail, stressing that Kosovo is prepared to repulse any attack.

During the press conference, minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, presented photographs, maps and other materials related to the event in Banjska. He also presented information about the suspects of the attack, posting photos and other personal information about them. Sveçla said that since 2021 so far, Kosovo Police have been targeted by 114 attacks in the north, mostly carried out by the group, which he said carried out the attack in Banjska.


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