Vushtrri, September 25, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, was today in the village of Samadrexhe in Vushtrri, where the policeman who fell yesterday in the line of duty, the Hero of the Republic of Kosovo, Afrim Bunjaku, was buried with a state ceremony.
In front of the many present, family members and colleagues of the deceased, representatives of the country’s and international institutions, Prime Minister Kurti said that the resignation of Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, wearing the uniform of the Kosovo Police, is a sacrifice in Kosovo’s battle for law and constitutionality, for justice and rights, for every citizen of Kosovo without distinction. He said that Afrim’s heroism was continued again with professionalism and selflessness by his colleagues, the Kosovo policemen, who faced the armed criminal and terrorist groups of Serbia in the north of Kosovo.
Among other things, the Prime Minister said that giving his life for the people and the land that gave birth and raised him is the most sublime work that a person can do, that martyrdom is the highest rank after which nothing and no one can degrade him, and that participating in the funeral is our last obligation for his life, while honoring the work and continuing its ideals is the eternal obligation of us alive for the martyrs.
Prime Minister Kurti’s speech:
Dear citizens,
Dear President, Speaker,
Dear Bunjaku family, Kosovo police, colleagues of the hero Afrim Bunjaku,
Ministers and deputy ministers, deputies and state officials of Kosovo, Albania and friendly and partner countries,
Commands Bashkim Jashari,
Director of the police, Gazmend Hoxha,
Baca Rifat,
Mayors of Municipalities,
Mufti Naim,
Excellency ambassadors and other diplomats,
Sisters and brothers from all over Kosovo who have come here today in Samadrexha of Vushtrri to honor the work of the hero Afrim Bunjaku and to bid him farewell. Giving life to the people and the land that gave birth and raised you, is the most sublime work that a person can do. Martyrdom is the highest rank after which nothing and no one can degrade it. Participation in the funeral is our last obligation for his life, while honoring the work and continuing its ideals is the eternal obligation of us alive for the martyrs.
For the hero of the Republic of Kosovo, Afrim Bunjaku, and yesterday we came to express our condolences and to give support to the Bunjaku family here in Samadrexhe of Vushtrri, and in the evening, together with government ministers and members of the Assembly, as well as many citizens lit candles in Pristina, in front of the central police station.
Afrim Bunjaku was shot and killed on a moonlit night, while he was performing his duty together with his colleagues who were wounded in that case. In the hours that followed during the day of September 24, the circumstances and perpetrators of this criminal and terrorist act were illuminated under the light of the sun. They were enlightened by Afrim’s colleagues, members of the Kosovo Police who, with the highest professionalism, reacted accordingly to the circumstances. They did their duty, they honored Afrimi, and they honored all of us and the Republic of Kosovo!
Every minute of a long day they enforced the law and defended the territory, kept order and guarded the citizens, for peace with security, for everyone with everyone.
The resignation of Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, wearing the uniform of the Kosovo Police, is a sacrifice in Kosovo’s battle for law and constitutionality, for justice and rights, for every citizen of Kosovo without distinction. Afrim’s heroism was continued with professionalism and selflessness by his colleagues, the Kosovo Police, who faced the armed criminal and terrorist groups of Serbia in the north of Kosovo. In the face of these hostile structures, Kosovo will fight with its legitimate effort for order and law and sovereignty, throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo and for all its citizens.
There is no compromise with terror and crime. Yesterday, state sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security were not only endangered, but also violated. Today, before Afrim Bunjaku is buried as a hero in his land, let Afrim’s portrait and profile be engraved in our photographic memory and in our collective memory, as the face of a hero and the work of a martyr!
Near Approach, far from crime!
Glory to Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, the Hero of the Republic of Kosovo and the youngest martyr of its land: glory today and forever!
Last modified: September 26, 2023