16.08.2026 – 19:15

Igor Markoviq is the person arrested on Sunday in Zveçan on suspicion of taking part in the attacks against KFOR members and Kosovo Police officers in May 2023.

According to a KP source, Markoviq is suspected of having served as a Serbian police officer and of entering Kosovo from Serbia through the northern region.

The Kosovo Police and the Special Prosecution Office had announced earlier in the day that the arrest was carried out on the orders of the Special Prosecution Office, following a series of investigative actions conducted by investigators from the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Serious Crimes. Initially, the detainee was identified only by the initials I.M.

The joint statement said he is suspected of the criminal offenses of “Assault on an official person,” “Participation in a crowd committing a criminal offense and hooliganism,” “Association for anti-constitutional activities,” and “Endangering persons under international protection.”

The authorities said I.M. was arrested in Zveçan following extensive investigative actions and is suspected of involvement in the May 2023 attack on KFOR members and Kosovo Police officers. The Special Prosecution Office and the Kosovo Police announced that they would take further steps in accordance with the law and the highest international standards.

The clashes in Zveçan began after local Serbs opposed the entry of the newly elected Albanian mayors into the municipal buildings in Zveçan, Leposaviq and Zubin Potok. These municipalities in northern Kosovo have Serb-majority populations, while Serbs had boycotted the May 2023 local elections.

In these clashes, 93 KFOR members were injured, some of them seriously.

Kosovo has held Serbia responsible for the events in Zveçan in early 2023, stating that they were carried out by “criminal groups close to the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vuçiq.”

16.08.2026 – 18:41

This update revealed the full identity of the arrested man: Igor Markoviq. He was detained on Sunday by the Kosovo Police, on the orders of the Special Prosecution Office, as a suspect in the May 2023 attacks on KFOR members and Kosovo Police officers in Zveçan.

The criminal allegations against Markoviq include assault on an official person, participation in a crowd committing a criminal offense and hooliganism, association for anti-constitutional activities, and endangering persons under international protection.

16.08.2026 – 16:28

Investigators from the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Serious Crimes arrested a person with the initials I.M. in Zveçan on Sunday, acting on the orders of the Special Prosecution Office.

The Special Prosecution Office and the Kosovo Police explained in their joint statement that the arrest followed a series of investigative actions. According to the statement, I.M. is suspected of attacking KFOR members and Kosovo Police officers in May 2023.

The institutions said they would proceed with the necessary procedural steps in accordance with the law and international standards.

The post Suspect in attacks on KFOR arrested in Zveçan, believed to have been a Serbian police officer appeared first on Albeu.com.

A person identified by the initials I.M. was arrested on Sunday in Zvečan by investigators from the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Serious Crimes, following an order from the Special Prosecutor’s Office. He is suspected of involvement in several criminal offenses.

According to a joint statement by the Special Prosecutor’s Office and the Kosovo Police, I.M. is suspected of the criminal offenses of “assault on an official person,” “participation in a crowd that commits a criminal offense and hooliganism,” “association for unconstitutional activities,” and “endangering persons under international protection.”

The arrest was carried out after the authorities conducted a series of investigative actions.

According to the statement, I.M. is suspected of attacking KFOR members and Kosovo Police officers in May 2023.

The Special Prosecutor’s Office and the Kosovo Police announced that they will continue with the necessary procedural actions, in accordance with the law and international standards.

The post Zvečan, suspect arrested over attacks on KFOR and Kosovo Police in May 2023 appeared first on Albeu.com.

War crimes charges involving 20 people in Gjakova, for which Milan Radoiçiq has been indicted, have once again brought his past and his relations with Kosovo’s political institutions into the spotlight.

In addition to the charges he faces and his prominent position within the structures of the Serb List, Radoiçiq has been an influential figure in political developments in the north. His influence has also extended to relations between Kosovo parties and representatives of the Serb community.

At various times, governments led by the PDK, LDK and AAK engaged in political cooperation with the Serb List, precisely when Radoiçiq was seen as one of the party’s most influential figures. This raises serious questions about the risk these relations may have posed to Kosovo’s institutional and national security.

Another unresolved issue is whether the networks and influence built by Radoiçiq continue to threaten the country’s security, even though he has withdrawn from the public political scene.

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

Former fighter Saim Tahiraj is calling for a comprehensive investigation into every person suspected of war crimes, as well as clarification of any possible political ties to Milan Radoiçiq.

Tahiraj views the filing of a war crimes indictment against Radoiçiq positively, but insists that the judicial process should not focus solely on him and must continue until the case has been fully clarified.

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

According to Tahiraj, accountability should be sought not only from Radoiçiq, but from anyone who may have participated in or supported crimes against Albanians.

He stressed that all perpetrators of crimes against the Albanian people must face justice, regardless of their whereabouts, the positions they have held or the people who may have supported them.

Tahiraj is also calling for investigations to establish the responsibility of any structures that may have been behind crimes committed during the war in Kosovo. In his assessment, if the courts and investigative authorities prove the involvement or support of Serbian state structures, their responsibility must be addressed fully and without compromise.

Referring to possible links between Kosovo politics and individuals suspected of war crimes, Tahiraj called for any potential form of cooperation to be investigated and for no one to receive political protection.

He said that if evidence emerges that a politician from any party cooperated with Radoiçiq or with structures linked to him, that person, whether a man or a woman, must answer to justice without benefiting from a political shield.

According to Tahiraj, double standards cannot be applied to war crimes or to the obligation to provide answers to victims.

He said it was unacceptable, on the one hand, to speak about the sacrifice of the Albanian people and the victims of the war while, on the other, disregarding possible cooperation with people suspected of crimes against those same people.

Tahiraj also emphasized that confirmation that government power had been used to cooperate with people suspected of war crimes would constitute a serious breach of public trust.

Nevertheless, he called for the final word to be left to investigators and the justice system, which must rely on evidence. According to him, no one should be convicted solely on the basis of political accusations, but neither should anyone be protected when the justice system presents evidence and issues final rulings.

In conclusion, Tahiraj expressed hope that the judicial process would clarify every possible connection, instance of cooperation and responsibility. He stressed that war crimes are not constrained by political timelines, that victims demand justice and that the law must be applied equally to everyone.

Nexhat Bexheti believes that Radoiçiq’s influence on Kosovo’s political life cannot be treated solely as an issue belonging to the past.

For Bexheti, the indictment against Milan Radoiçiq represents a belated response by the justice system. He claims that charges had also been brought against him several years ago, but they were not pursued.

In his statement to “Bota sot,” Bexheti suggested that the authorities under the Haradinaj government had swept these charges “under the rug.”

According to him, the lack of institutional action allowed Radoiçiq to operate with a sense of impunity and to build considerable influence in northern Kosovo.

Bexheti said that such an approach enabled him to behave dismissively, disregard Kosovo’s laws and see himself as the “father” of Serb citizens in the northern part of the country.

In making his argument, Bexheti also cited previous statements by Rada Trajković, a former Serb member of the Kosovo Assembly, who had spoken about the influence that Radoiçiq, according to her, exerted over Serb political and institutional structures in the north.

He recalled Trajković’s claims that some Serb politicians were also dissatisfied because they were under political pressure from Radoiçiq. According to her statements, former mayors of Serb towns in Kosovo had complained to her that all decisions were made by Radoiçiq.

Bexheti also mentioned Trajković’s claim that Radoiçiq used a restaurant in North Mitrovica as an unofficial office. According to her, he issued orders from there and exerted influence over the selection of Serb ministers, police officials and Serb judges in Kosovo.

Referring to the same statements, Bexheti said that Radoiçiq determined the names of future Serb ministers in Kosovo, police chiefs in the north and Serb judges, which, according to him, demonstrates that his political influence was considerable.

According to Bexheti, Radoiçiq’s relationships with figures in Kosovo politics did not end with Ramush Haradinaj. He claims that Radoiçiq also had ties with former President Behgjet Pacolli, particularly in the field of business.

Bexheti said that, in addition to his ties with government representatives, Radoiçiq also had relations with Pacolli and that, based on publicly available information, their cooperation also extended to the business sphere.

In this context, he referred to a photograph published by KRIK in October 2019. It showed Behgjet Pacolli, Milan Radoiçiq, Goran Rakić and other individuals.

According to Bexheti and KRIK’s information, the photograph was taken during a meeting in the summer of 2017, when the AKR was part of the governing coalition led by Ramush Haradinaj.

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

According to him, this information provides a clear picture that Radoiçiq may continue to wield influence in Kosovo, while his associates may still be actively worsening the political situation. He added that the negative consequences of this influence can still be seen today.

Bexheti sees the risk as evident and is calling for stronger involvement by the institutions responsible for security.

He called on the Kosovo Police to track down and identify individuals operating covertly against the interests of Kosovo’s citizens.

Finally, Bexheti called for the investigation to include people who cooperated with Radoiçiq, also mentioning former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj in this context.

According to him, Radoiçiq’s harmful activities should serve as a basis for investigating people who had cooperative relations with him. Bexheti stressed that if evidence of unlawful cooperation exists, it should be examined to identify other associates who may be operating covertly with the aim of harming Kosovo and compromising it in the international arena.

The post Indictment Against Radoiçiq Refocuses Attention on Political Ties in Kosovo, Investigation of Associates Also Sought appeared first on Albeu.com.

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.

The post Indictment Against Radoiçiq Refocuses Attention on Political Ties in Kosovo, Investigation of Associates Sought appeared first on Albeu.com.

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.

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On Thursday, the Kosovo Special Prosecution filed an indictment for war crimes against 20 persons, linked to events in Gjakova.

Milan Radoicic is also on the list of defendants.

This group of 20 individuals faces charges for involvement in the elimination of 107 civilians, and the Special Prosecution has proposed that the trial be held in their absence.

The accused persons, who face the criminal offense ‘war crimes against the civilian population,’ have been identified by the prosecution only by initials: M.K., R.C., M.D., P.R., S.K., L.O., Zh.S., S.S., L.D., Z.R., D.G., Ç.B., V.B., R.B., R.R., L.R., M.Sh., M.R., S.G., and T.A.

The institution has also disclosed the functions that the defendants exercised during the relevant period.

Based on the Prosecutor’s data, during 1998-1999, M.K., in the role of head of the Secretariat for Internal Affairs in Gjakova, R.Ç., as commander of the Special Police units, and M.D., at the head of the 52nd Rocket Artillery Brigade, together with the other defendants, including Radoicic, as members of the aforementioned formations, are accused of participating in the massacre of 107 civilians during an ‘extended military-police operation.’

According to the official announcement of the Special Prosecution, during this operation, the accused initially separated women and children from men. The women were robbed, with gold jewelry, money, and other valuables confiscated, while the men were liquidated, some inside their homes and yards, and others at the point known as ‘Taliq Bridge’. Also, buildings were set on fire.

Security affairs specialist Arben Dashevci emphasizes that the communication through the filing of these indictments is decisive and deserved, underlining that despite the protection they enjoy from Serbia, sooner or later they will be forced to appear before the state authorities of Kosovo.

Because the trial will be held in absentia, Dashevci tells ‘Bota sot’ that it is obvious that they do not feel comfortable or at ease with the actions they are accused of.

“The signal sent by raising the indictment against Milan Radoicic and 19 other persons for war crimes, especially considering his role in recent security developments in northern Kosovo, is clear and justified. Despite the fact that they are absent, sooner or later, with a change of establishment in Serbia, since it is well known that they have protection there, they will have the obligation to hand them over to our state and judicial authorities. These serious criminal offenses never become statute-barred. Given that the Prosecution has requested trial in absentia, this has its effect on the suspects; they do not feel at all comfortable or at ease, the crimes weigh heavily on them. They remain only in Serbia, because the process of Kosovo’s efforts for justice and international cooperation for the arrest of the accused does not stop. Wherever they are and wherever there is an opportunity to catch them, they are arrested and brought to justice for the crimes they are suspected of having committed, regardless of where or who it is,” declared Dashevci.

Furthermore, he adds that justice must reach them wherever they are.

“It is a very good job by our institutions in tracking down those who caused these horrific massacres. Truth and evidence are on our side, and I believe that justice must and will find them wherever they are, sooner or later, whether with a trial in absentia or in court sessions in their presence,” concluded the expert.

We recall that in April 2025, the Basic Prosecution in Gjakova had issued an arrest warrant for Radoicic and 19 other Serbs, on suspicion of involvement in the murder of civilians in Gjakova, whose remains were later discovered in a mass grave in Serbia.

In the reasoning for the arrest warrant, it was explained that during 1998-99, in the area called ‘Taliq Bridge’ in Gjakova, from 7 to 10 May 1999, members of the Serbian armed and police forces in uniform, including the defendants, had started to search houses one by one, ‘violently and with threats forcing out all persons present, separating men from women and children, and then killed a total of 106 Albanian civilians. After the conflict, their bodies were found in a mass grave in Batajnica, Serbia.’

Also, in the documentation for the arrest warrant, it was stated that this group of persons, of which Radoicic is a part, from 7 May 1999 to 10 May of the same year, had detained and imprisoned over 300 Albanian civilians, who were held in ‘improvised prisons, without humane treatment, lacking basic needs, proper food, hygiene, and medical assistance. Later, a large part of these prisoners were transferred to various prisons in Kosovo.’

Finally, as the Basic Court of Gjakova announced, these individuals were released after June 1999, with the assistance of international organizations.

Meanwhile, journalist Gëzim Olluri assesses that such judicial processes function as institutional instruments for preserving collective memory.

According to him, the processing of evidence gathered in the field in the legal sphere gives a juridical form to the testimonies of war.

“Although belated, the filing of indictments of this nature carries a moral and historical weight regarding Kosovo’s past. Such trials serve as institutional mechanisms for preserving our collective memory, ensuring that tragedies like the Gjakova case in this context do not fade over time,” declared Olluri for “Bota sot”.

He added that treating evidence from the field on the legal plane gives legal form to war testimonies, proving that confronting the past is not achieved without punishing criminals and without the aggressor acknowledging the truth. The discoveries that are made regarding war crimes take on a new dimension when handled by institutions and serve as an indisputable archive for future generations.

According to Olluri, bringing the executors of crime and criminals to justice and punishing them somewhat eases the suffering of the families of the victims.

He thinks that the indictment should not be perceived as a simple judicial process, but should be considered as evidence of Serbia’s genocidal intentions.

Olluri adds that the importance of trials of this nature exceeds the limits of an ordinary criminal proceeding.

“Bringing the perpetrators of crime and criminals to justice, as well as their punishment by justice institutions, alleviates somewhat the pain of family members who lost their loved ones during the war from the occupying forces of Serbia,” he continued.

Olluri concluded by saying that beyond the criminal prosecution of the executioners (understandably, the final trial must be awaited), this process constitutes an act of honor for the victims. In this case, the indictment for the murder of 107 Albanian civilians in Gjakova should not be seen as an ordinary judicial process, but should be considered as proof of Serbia’s genocidal intentions. The weight of trials of this nature goes beyond the limits of an ordinary criminal procedure. The confrontation of societies with the past is a precondition for political stability, and there can be no sincere negotiations with Serbia if the latter does not take responsibility for the genocide committed against Albanians.

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The indictment of Milan Radoiçiq for war crimes against 20 people in Gjakova has reignited debate not only about his past, but also about the relationships he maintained with institutions and political figures in Kosovo.

Although he is accused of serious crimes and was known for his role within the structures of the Serbian List, Radoiçiq was long considered one of the most influential figures in political developments in the north and in relations between Kosovo parties and Serbian representatives.

Governments led by the PDK, LDK and AAK previously cooperated with the Serbian List at a time when Radoiçiq was seen as one of the party’s most powerful figures. This has raised questions about the consequences such cooperation may have had for Kosovo’s institutional and national security.

Another issue that remains to be clarified is whether the networks and influence built by Radoiçiq continue to pose a threat to Kosovo, even after his withdrawal from the public political scene.

The question is whether Kosovo was exposed to a security risk because of political cooperation with a person who now faces war crimes charges.

Former fighter calls for a full investigation into all those suspected of war crimes and for any political cooperation with Milan Radoiçiq to be uncovered

Saim Tahiraj welcomed the filing of the indictment against Milan Radoiçiq, but called for the judicial process not to end with the investigation of just one person.

“A person suspected of serious crimes against Albanians belongs before the courts and, if guilt is proven, the punishment must be appropriate,” Tahiraj told “Bota sot.”

According to him, the investigation should also include every other person who may have committed or supported crimes against Albanians, and responsibility should not be limited to Radoiçiq alone.

“Justice must not stop with Radoiçiq. Everyone who committed crimes against the Albanian people must face justice, regardless of where they are, what position they held or who stood behind them,” he said.

Tahiraj also called for the investigations to include the structures that may have been behind the crimes committed during the war in Kosovo. He stressed that if the courts and investigative bodies establish the involvement or support of Serbian state structures, that responsibility must also be pursued without compromise.

“If the investigations and courts establish the involvement or support of Serbian state structures in the crimes committed in Kosovo, then that responsibility must also be addressed fully and without any compromise,” Tahiraj said.

Referring to possible links between Kosovo politicians and people suspected of war crimes, he called for any potential cooperation to be investigated and for no one to be shielded by politics.

“If the investigations uncover evidence that any politician, regardless of their political party, cooperated with Radoiçiq or with structures linked to him, then there must be no political shield. Whoever he or she may be must answer before the courts,” he said.

Tahiraj said that different standards cannot be applied to war crimes and responsibility toward the victims.

“There cannot be double standards: on the one hand, we speak about the victims of the war and the sacrifice of the Albanian people, while on the other, we turn a blind eye to possible cooperation with people suspected of crimes against those same people,” he said.

According to him, if it is established that political power was unlawfully used to cooperate with people suspected of war crimes, such an act would constitute a serious breach of the public’s trust.

“Therefore, let the investigations and the justice system speak through evidence. No one should be convicted solely on the basis of political accusations, but no one should be protected when the justice system produces evidence and final rulings,” Tahiraj said.

He called for the judicial process to bring to light every possible link, instance of cooperation and responsibility.

“I expect this process to uncover all possible links, cooperation and responsibilities. War crimes have no political statute of limitations. The victims demand justice, and justice must be the same for everyone,” Tahiraj concluded.

Bexheti says Radoiçiq’s influence on Kosovo politics should not be treated simply as a matter of the past

Nexhat Bexheti described the indictment of Milan Radoiçiq as a belated act of justice. He claimed that accusations had also been made against Radoiçiq years earlier but, according to him, they were not pursued.

“The indictment against Radoiçiq is overdue, as there were accusations against him several years ago as well, but they were not pursued. I suspect that the Haradinaj government swept them under the rug,” Bexheti told “Bota sot.”

Bexheti said the institutions’ failure to act had allowed Radoiçiq to behave as though he were untouchable and to wield considerable influence in northern Kosovo.

“This enabled Radoiçiq to behave with impunity and disregard Kosovo’s laws, to the point that he felt like the ‘father’ of the Serbian citizens of northern Kosovo,” he said.

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

“Some Serbian politicians were also unhappy with Radoiçiq because they were under his political pressure. Rada Trajkoviq stated that former mayors of Serbian-majority cities in Kosovo had complained to her that Radoiçiq was the one making all the decisions,” Bexheti said.

According to the claims Bexheti attributed to Trajkoviq, Radoiçiq used an unofficial office in a restaurant in North Mitrovica, from which he issued orders and influenced the selection of Serbian ministers, police chiefs and Serbian judges in Kosovo.

“Trajkoviq stated that Radoiçiq selected the names of future Serbian ministers in Kosovo, police chiefs in the north and Serbian judges. These statements show that his political influence was not insignificant,” Bexheti said.

He stressed that Radoiçiq’s relationships with Kosovo politicians were not limited to Ramush Haradinaj. According to Bexheti, he also had contacts with former Kosovo president Behgjet Pacolli, particularly in business.

“In addition to his relationships with people in power, Radoiçiq also had ties with former Kosovo president Behgjet Pacolli. According to published information, their cooperation also extended to the business sphere,” he said.

Bexheti referred to a photograph published by KRIK in October 2019 showing Behgjet Pacolli, Milan Radoiçiq, Goran Rakiq and others. According to him, the photograph was connected to a meeting held in 2017, when the AKR was part of the governing coalition led by Ramush Haradinaj.

“In October 2019, KRIK published a photograph showing Behgjet Pacolli at a meeting with Milan Radoiçiq, Goran Rakiq and others. According to KRIK, the meeting took place in the summer of 2017,” Bexheti said.

According to him, this information should provide institutions with a basis for a broader investigation into the influence that Radoiçiq and people linked to him may have exerted over Kosovo’s politics and institutions.

“Such accounts give us a clear picture that Radoiçiq may still have influence in Kosovo, while his associates may remain active in worsening the political situation. The negative effects of this can still be seen today,” Bexheti said.

Bexheti believes the threat is still present and called for stronger action by the security institutions.

“The threat is evident. The Kosovo Police must track down and identify those who are secretly acting to the detriment of Kosovo’s citizens,” Bexheti said.

In conclusion, he called for the investigations to include those who cooperated with Radoiçiq, also mentioning former prime minister Ramush Haradinaj in this context.

“Radoiçiq’s harmful role should serve as the starting point for investigating the people who cooperated with him. If there is evidence of unlawful cooperation, it must be investigated to identify other associates who may be acting covertly to harm Kosovo and compromise it in the international arena,” Bexheti concluded.

The post Radoiçiq Charged with War Crimes, Investigation Sought into His Political Ties in Kosovo appeared first on Albeu.com.

Kosovo’s Special Prosecution filed an indictment on Thursday for war crimes against 20 individuals, related to the atrocities that occurred in Gjakova.

Among the accused is also Milan Radoičić.

This group of 20 people is charged with complicity in the killing of 107 innocent civilians, and the Prosecution has requested a trial in absentia for them.

The defendants, who face the charge of “war crimes against the civilian population,” have been identified by the prosecution only with their initials: M.K., R.C., M.D., P.R., S.K., L.O., Zh.S., S.S., L.D., Z.R., D.G., Ç.B., V.B., R.B., R.R., L.R., M.Sh., M.R., S.G., and T.A.

The Prosecution also disclosed the positions the defendants held during that period.

According to the official announcement, during the period 1998-1999, M.K., as head of the Secretariat of Internal Affairs in Gjakova, R.Ç., as commander of the Special Police units, and M.D., as commander of the 52nd Rocket Artillery Brigade, together with the rest of the defendants, including Radoičić, “as members of these units are accused of participating in the elimination of 107 civilians during a ‘large-scale military-police operation’.”

The Special Prosecution statement says: “During this operation, according to the indictment, women and children were initially separated from the men. Gold jewelry, money, and other valuables were taken from the women, while the men were executed, some in their homes and yards, and others at the place called ‘Taliq Bridge.’ Furthermore, houses were also set on fire.”

Security expert Arben Dashevci says that the filing of these indictments sends a direct and deserved message, showing that despite the protection they enjoy in Serbia, they will have to surrender to Kosovo’s justice authorities.

Since the trial will be held in absentia, Dashevci stresses to “Bota sot” that this clearly shows that the suspects are not at all at ease with the crimes they are charged with. “The signal sent by the indictment against Milan Radoičić and 19 other members for war crimes, especially considering his role in recent events in northern Kosovo, is clear and direct. Although they are fugitives, sooner or later, with changes in the Serbian establishment, they will be forced to hand them over to our authorities. These serious crimes never become time-barred. The Prosecution’s request for a trial in absentia has a strong impact on them, as they find no peace and move only within Serbia. Kosovo’s efforts to establish justice and international cooperation for the arrest of the defendants do not cease – wherever they are and can be caught, they will face the law,” he stated.

He further adds that justice must reach them no matter where they hide. “Our institutions’ commitment to pursuing the perpetrators of these massacres is excellent. Truth and evidence are on our side, and I believe the law will catch them, whether through trial in absentia or with their physical presence in court,” the expert concluded.

It should be recalled that in April 2025, the Basic Prosecution in Gjakova issued an arrest warrant for Radoičić and 19 other Serbs, suspected of involvement in the murders of civilians in Gjakova, whose remains were later discovered in a mass grave in Serbia.

The reasoning of that warrant stated that during the period May 7-10, 1999, Serbian armed and police forces, including the defendants, entered houses near the “Taliq Bridge” in Gjakova, forcibly and with threats removed all persons there, separated the men from the women and children, and then killed a total of 106 Albanian civilians. After the war, their bodies were found in Batajnica, Serbia.

The arrest warrant document also stressed that the persons involved, including Radoičić, had arrested and imprisoned over 300 Albanian civilians during those three days, who were held in improvised facilities without humane conditions, lacking food, hygiene, and medical assistance. A large number of them were later transferred to various Kosovo prisons and released after June 1999 through the mediation of international organizations, according to the Basic Court of Gjakova.

Meanwhile, journalist Gëzim Olluri assesses that trials of this nature function as institutional mechanisms for preserving collective memory. According to him, moving evidence from the field to the legal sphere gives war testimonies a legal form. “Although belated, such indictments carry moral and historical importance for Kosovo’s past. Judicial processes like this serve as undeniable archives for future generations and ensure that such tragedies do not fade away. Confronting the past cannot be achieved without punishing the criminals and the aggressor’s acceptance of the truth,” Olluri stated to “Bota sot.”

According to him, bringing the perpetrators to justice and punishing them eases, even if just a little, the pain of the victims’ families. He emphasizes that this indictment should not be seen as an ordinary judicial process, but as evidence of Serbia’s genocidal intentions. “The weight of these trials goes beyond the limits of a simple criminal case. The indictment for the murder of 107 Albanian civilians in Gjakova is at the same time a tribute to the victims. Societies’ confrontation with the past is a condition for political stability, and there can be no sincere negotiations with Serbia without it taking responsibility for the genocide against Albanians,” Olluri concluded.

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Kosovo Police have released footage of the detention of a person with the initials J.R., who is suspected of committing war crimes.

The footage was shared by Kosovo Police in a Facebook post after the Basic Court in Pristina decided on August 3 to order one month of pretrial detention for the suspect.

The court justified its decision by citing the risk that, if allowed to remain free, the defendant could influence evidence and witnesses, hindering the normal course of the criminal proceedings.

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Serbia’s War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office told Radio Free Europe (RFE) that it is verifying the circumstances and conducting investigative actions related to the arrest of M.M., who is suspected of committing war crimes against the civilian population in Kosovo in 1999.

The arrest took place on August 1 at around 10:30 p.m. at the border crossing between Serbia and Hungary, according to Kosovo lawyer Arianit Koci. He said on Facebook that the detainee was Kosovo citizen Mentor Mustafa, 44, from the village of Jasenovik in the municipality of Novo Brdo.

According to Koci, Mustafa was traveling by bus from Stuttgart to Kosovo with his brother, Fejzullah Mustafa. The lawyer added that, based on the testimony of the brother, who was at the scene, Serbian authorities had linked the detention to a damaged identity card.

Serbia’s Interior Ministry announced on August 2 that an arrest had been made at the Horgoš border crossing between Serbia and Hungary. The statement said the person was suspected of committing a war crime against two civilians in the village of Klobukar, near Novo Brdo in Kosovo, in July 1999.

Serbia’s Interior Ministry did not disclose the detainee’s identity or citizenship, stating only that he was born in 1981.

In its response to RFE, Serbia’s War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office explained that the criminal proceedings are at a non-public stage. For this reason, the institution said it could not currently provide specific details about the case.

Kosovo’s institutions have not yet provided any information regarding the matter.

In recent years, Serbia has repeatedly detained Kosovo citizens suspected of committing war crimes in Kosovo during 1998-’99.

In Kosovo, dozens of Serbs have also been arrested in recent years on suspicion of war crimes, while some of these cases have resulted in convictions.

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