Stefanovic: Pristina's Banjska indictment has no relevance whatsoever

BELGRADE - The chief public prosecutor of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade Nenad Stefanovic said on Wednesday that, from the standpoint of the legal order of the Republic of Serbia, an indictment raised by the so-called Kosovo special prosecution office against 45 people for last year's armed clashes in Banjska, near Zvecan, Kosovo-Metohija, had no relevance whatsoever.

In the indictment, raised earlier in the day, the group was charged with terrorism and criminal offences "against the constitutional order and security" and with "terrorism financing and money laundering."

In a statement to Tanjug, Stefanovic said the territorial integrity of Serbia including Kosovo-Metohija was guaranteed by UNSCR 1244, and noted that institutions of the so-called Kosovo had no competence to conduct any proceedings, including criminal ones.

He noted that one of the indictees, Milan Radojicic, was under investigation by the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade on suspicion of committing three criminal offences together with several unidentified persons: association for commission of criminal offences, illicit manufacture, possession, carrying and distribution of firearms and explosives and serious acts against general safety.

As part of the investigation, the Prosecutor's Office has contacted EULEX through the Serbian Ministry of Justice, requesting full documentation on the events of September 24, 2023 in Banjska, Stefanovic said, noting that EULEX had still not provided the documentation or any response to the request.

The Banjska clashes left three local Serbs and one officer of the so-called Kosovo Police dead.