Million-euro contracts for companies linked to Milan Radoičić, analyst warns of consequences for Serbia in relation to the EU

Findings recently published by Radio Free Europe show that companies linked to Milan Radoičić, whom Kosovo authorities accuse of organizing the armed attack at Banjska Monastery, have continued to receive public contracts worth millions of euros from Serbia’s state institutions.

According to this investigation, these contracts were awarded even after an indictment was filed against him, including projects financially supported by various state institutions. This data highlights the continued cooperation between the public sector and companies connected to Radoičić, despite the serious accusations he faces.

This development has raised serious doubts about transparency in public procurement, the functioning of oversight mechanisms, and institutional accountability in Serbia, while also prompting reactions and calls for clarification on how these contracts were awarded.

Political analyst Eduard Gashi spoke to “Bota sot” about the issue.

He said that if these findings are confirmed, they point to a serious problem in the functioning of institutions and the rule of law in Serbia.

According to Gashi, the continuation of financial support for companies linked to accused individuals undermines Serbia’s credibility before the European Union and weakens efforts against organized crime.

“If these findings are confirmed, then we are dealing with a very serious political and institutional problem. It is no longer just a matter of public procurement in Serbia, but a matter of the rule of law, the fight against organized crime, and Serbia’s credibility before the European Union.

A state that claims to be on the European path cannot, on the one hand, speak about dialogue, peace, and normalization, while on the other hand allowing companies linked to people accused of armed attacks and organized crime to benefit by millions from the public budget.

This places Serbia in a very difficult position before the EU. Because the European Union cannot ask only for words about normalization, but must also demand concrete proof: transparency, investigation, accountability, and a clear break from criminal structures.

If Serbian institutions continue to finance such networks, then this seriously damages international cooperation against organized crime. Because crime cannot be fought with one hand while, with the other, public contracts are handed to people connected to it,” he said.

Further, the analyst stressed that this case could negatively affect Serbia’s relations with the European Union and increase pressure from abroad.

He underlined that the normalization process requires concrete steps, not support for networks linked to crime.

“The political consequences could be major: less trust from the EU, more diplomatic pressure on Serbia, blockage in the European integration process, and a deepening of mistrust between Kosovo and Serbia.

The Banjska case cannot be treated as an isolated incident. If financial and institutional support for people or companies linked to this network continues afterward, then we have a much bigger problem: state capture by criminal and political structures.

Therefore, the EU and international partners must be much clearer. Normalization is not measured by statements, but by concrete actions. And the first action must be: not a single public euro for networks linked to crime, violence, and destabilization,” analyst Gashi concluded for “Bota sot”.