Indictment against Radoičić sparks calls for revealing political ties and investigating collaborators

The war crimes indictment filed against Milan Radoičić, accused of criminal acts against 20 persons in Gjakova, has brought back into focus not only his biography but also the close ties he has maintained with Kosovo’s political structures.

Even though facing serious charges and known for his role within the Serbian List’s mechanisms, Radoičić has been a heavyweight factor in the political dynamics of the north and has influenced relations between Albanian political entities and Serbian representatives.

In the past, executives led by PDK, LDK and AAK built institutional cooperation with the Serbian List, at a time when Radoičić was seen as one of the most powerful figures in that party. This situation raises the question to what extent this interaction endangered the country’s institutional and national security.

Moreover, it remains to be seen whether the influence networks and the links he created continue to pose a real threat to Kosovo’s security, even now that he has withdrawn from the public political scene.

Was the state of Kosovo exposed to a security risk by politically coordinating with an individual who today stands before judicial authorities on war crimes charges?

Saim Tahiraj considers the filing of the indictment a positive step, but insists that the process must be carried through and not focus only on one name.

He stresses that a person suspected of such serious crimes must stand before a court and, if found guilty, receive the deserved punishment. But in his view, that is not enough. Responsibility must extend to all those who have committed or supported criminal acts against the Albanian population.

He demands that justice not stop at Radoičić, and that all persons implicated in crimes, regardless of location, position, or backers, must be held accountable. Likewise, Tahiraj calls on investigating authorities to clarify the involvement of structures that may have stood behind the war crimes, and if the support of Serbian state apparatuses is proven, that responsibility must be addressed without any omissions.

He adds that any eventual political interaction with suspected individuals must be investigated and no one should enjoy political immunity. According to him, if during the process facts emerge that any politician has cooperated with Radoičić or his networks, he or she must be held accountable before the law, regardless of political affiliation.

Tahiraj considers the application of double standards unacceptable, where on the one hand the sacrifice of the people is honored and on the other hand cooperation with persons suspected of crimes against them is ignored. He emphasizes that if abuse of power for such interactions is proven, this would be a serious breach of citizens’ trust, but nevertheless insists that no one should be condemned solely on political grounds and no one should be protected when there is evidence and final court rulings. He calls for the judicial process to clarify every connection and responsibility, recalling that war crimes do not expire and the victims demand equal justice for all.

Meanwhile, Nexhat Bexheti sees the indictment against Radoičić as a delayed act of justice, claiming there have been previous accusations that were not pursued. He hints that the authorities during the Haradinaj Government hid them. According to him, this institutional inaction gave Radoičić space to act with impunity and to impose himself as the key figure in northern Kosovo, feeling like the master of Serbian citizens there.

Bexheti recalls the statements of former Serbian MP Rada Trajković, who had claimed that part of the Serbian politicians were under pressure from Radoičić and that former mayors complained to her that he made all the decisions. He mentions allegations that Radoičić had an informal office in a restaurant in North Mitrovica, from where he gave orders and influenced the appointment of Serbian ministers, police chiefs and judges.

Bexheti says that Radoičić’s connections were not limited to Ramush Haradinaj, but also extended to the business sphere, citing relations with former President Behgjet Pacolli. He refers to a photograph published in October 2019 by KRIK, showing Pacolli, Radoičić, Goran Rakić and others, in a meeting that, according to this organization, had taken place in the summer of 2017, when AKR was part of the government coalition led by Haradinaj.

Considering these facts as grounds for a deeper investigation, Bexheti warns that such reflections paint a picture of Radoičić’s possible continued influence and that his collaborators may still be active in destabilizing the situation. He sees the danger as real and calls on the Kosovo Police to track down and uncover persons operating secretly against the citizens’ interests. In the end, he demands that Radoičić’s destructive role serve as a starting point to investigate other collaborators who may have contributed to damaging and compromising the country on the international stage.