Indictment Against Radoiçiq Refocuses Attention on Political Ties in Kosovo, Investigation of Associates Sought

The indictment filed against Milan Radoiçiq for war crimes against 20 people in Gjakova has renewed attention on his past activities and the relationships he maintained with Kosovo’s institutions and political establishment.

In addition to the charges he faces and his prominent position within the structures of the Serbian List, Radoiçiq has played an important role in political developments in the north. His influence also extended to relations between Kosovo parties and Serbian political representatives.

At various times, governments led by the PDK, LDK and AAK cooperated politically with the Serbian List, while Radoiçiq was regarded as one of the party’s leading figures. This raises serious questions about the risk such cooperation may have posed to Kosovo’s national and institutional security.

Another unresolved issue is whether the networks and influence established by Radoiçiq continue to undermine the country’s security, despite his withdrawal from the public political arena.

In this context, the question also arises as to whether Kosovo was exposed to security risks because of political cooperation with a person who is now accused of war crimes.

A former fighter is calling for a comprehensive investigation into war crimes suspects and clarification of any possible political ties to Milan Radoiçiq.

Saim Tahiraj welcomed the filing of the war crimes indictment against Radoiçiq but called for the justice system’s actions not to focus solely on one individual and for the investigation to be pursued to its conclusion.

In a statement to “Bota sot,” Tahiraj said that a person suspected of serious crimes against Albanians must face justice and, if found guilty, receive the punishment he deserves.

He believes that accountability should be sought not only from Radoiçiq but also from anyone who may have committed or supported crimes against Albanians.

According to Tahiraj, everyone responsible for crimes against the Albanian people must face the law, regardless of their location, the positions they have held or the support they may have received.

He is also calling for investigations to determine the responsibility of structures that may have supported crimes committed during the war in Kosovo. If investigations and courts establish the involvement or support of Serbian state structures, Tahiraj says this matter must also be addressed fully and without compromise.

Referring to possible ties between Kosovo’s political establishment and individuals suspected of war crimes, Tahiraj called for every potential form of cooperation to be investigated and for no one to receive political protection.

He said that if investigations uncover evidence that any politician, from any political party, cooperated with Radoiçiq or structures linked to him, the person responsible must answer to justice without benefiting from a political shield.

Tahiraj emphasized that double standards cannot be applied when addressing war crimes and accountability to victims.

According to him, it is unacceptable to speak about war victims and the sacrifice of the Albanian people on the one hand, while ignoring possible cooperation with individuals suspected of crimes against those same people on the other.

He believes that using political power to cooperate with war crimes suspects, if proven, would constitute a serious breach of public trust.

Tahiraj called for investigations and the justice process to be based on evidence. According to him, no one should be convicted solely because of political accusations, but at the same time, no one should be protected when the justice system presents evidence and issues final rulings.

In conclusion, he called for the judicial process to shed light on all possible ties, instances of cooperation and responsibilities. Tahiraj stressed that war crimes are not subject to political time limits, that victims demand justice and that the law must be applied equally to everyone.

Bexheti believes that Radoiçiq’s influence on Kosovo politics cannot be treated solely as a matter of the past.

Nexhat Bexheti views the indictment against Milan Radoiçiq as a delayed action by the justice authorities. He claims that accusations against him also existed several years ago but were not pursued.

Speaking to “Bota sot,” Bexheti said he suspects that the administration of the Haradinaj government had swept these accusations under the rug.

According to him, the lack of an institutional response gave Radoiçiq the opportunity to act as though he were untouchable and to build considerable influence in northern Kosovo.

Bexheti said this situation allowed Radoiçiq to behave with impunity, disregard Kosovo’s laws and consider himself the “boss” of Serbian citizens in the north of the country.

He also mentioned previous statements by former Serbian member of the Kosovo Assembly Rada Trajkoviq, who had spoken about the influence that, according to her, Radoiçiq exercised over Serbian political and institutional structures in the north.

According to Bexheti, some Serbian politicians were unhappy with Radoiçiq because they were under his political pressure. He recalled Trajkoviq’s claim that former mayors of Serbian-majority towns in Kosovo had complained to her that all decisions were made by Radoiçiq.

Bexheti also referred to Trajkoviq’s claim that Radoiçiq had established an unofficial office in a restaurant in North Mitrovica. According to her, he issued orders from that location and influenced the selection of Serbian ministers, police officials and Serbian judges in Kosovo.

He said that, according to Trajkoviq’s statements, Radoiçiq determined the names of future Serbian ministers in Kosovo, police chiefs in the north and Serbian judges. For Bexheti, these claims demonstrate that Radoiçiq’s political influence was not insignificant.

According to him, Radoiçiq’s ties to Kosovo political figures did not end with Ramush Haradinaj. Bexheti claims that he also had relations with former president Behgjet Pacolli, particularly in the business sector.

He said that, in addition to contacts with people in power, Radoiçiq also had ties to former Kosovo president Behgjet Pacolli, while published information also pointed to cooperation in the business sphere.

Bexheti drew attention to a photograph published by KRIK in October 2019 showing Behgjet Pacolli, Milan Radoiçiq, Goran Rakiq and other individuals.

According to him, KRIK reported that the meeting shown in the photograph took place in the summer of 2017, when the AKR was part of the governing coalition led by Ramush Haradinaj.

Bexheti believes these developments should serve as a starting point for a broader investigation into the influence that Radoiçiq and individuals linked to him may have exercised over Kosovo’s politics and institutions.

According to him, this information presents a picture suggesting that Radoiçiq may continue to wield influence in Kosovo and that his associates may still be actively contributing to the deterioration of the political situation. He added that the negative consequences of this influence may still be seen today.

Bexheti considers the risk evident and is calling for a stronger response from the institutions responsible for security.

He said that the Kosovo Police should track down and identify individuals who operate covertly to the detriment of Kosovo’s citizens.

Finally, Bexheti called for the investigation to include individuals who cooperated with Radoiçiq, mentioning former prime minister Ramush Haradinaj in this context as well.

According to him, Radoiçiq’s harmful role should serve as the basis for investigating his associates. Bexheti emphasized that if evidence of unlawful cooperation exists, it should be examined to uncover other individuals who may be operating covertly with the aim of harming Kosovo and compromising it in the international arena.