Prishtina, 24 December 2024
Dear journalists,
Dear citizens,
First, I apologize for the change in the timing of this press conference..
Today’s conference focuses on the topic of State-Sponsored Terrorism by Serbia and Responsibility for the Attacks in Kosovo.
The explosive attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Canal, dated 29 November 2024, through the complete destruction of the canal, was aimed at paralyzing the economic and energy life of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as causing disturbances that would ensue in jeopardizing national security in Kosovo and provoking the situation in the region.
The official Belgrade’s refusal to hand over Milan Radoičić, the main perpetrator of the terrorist attack of 24 September 2023, which aimed at occupying the northern part of our state, has served as an encouragement for the terrorist group led by Radoičić to continue with other subversive and diversionary acts against the territorial integrity and state sovereignty of our Republic.
The sheltering of Milan Radoičić in Serbia, the support provided to him by official Belgrade with infrastructure for training the terrorist group, and the granting of responsibilities authorized by the head of the Serbian state, including factual and political control over the Serbs in Kosovo, can only be described as the coordination of the Serbian state with Milan Radoičić and his terrorist group to further pursue the hybrid war against the Republic of Kosovo.
Our Republic has extended its sovereignty and security in the northern part of the country through constitutionality and legality. The situation there can no longer be challenged by groups modeled after Russia’s “Little Green Men”. However, Serbia’s aggressive policies against our country persist with other terrorist attacks, organized in smaller groups and more covert forms.
Since June 2024, when posters featuring the face of the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, with inscriptions such as “Supreme Commander, we are waiting for you”, began to circulate, the situation has gradually escalated in the four municipalities in the north through small groups directly linked to Milan Radoičić.
Based on information possessed by Kosovo’s security institutions, Milan Radoičić has appointed two close associates to carry out attacks in the north (through their respective groups), who were also involved in the terrorist attack in Banjska, Zveçan, and are sheltered in Serbia. These two individuals are:
– Nemanja Radivojević, alias “GANDI”;
– Vladimir Radivojević, alias “MAMI”.
Subsequent cases of attacks using explosive devices and other actions have been identified, culminating in the terrorist attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Canal. The following are noted incidents:
– On 30 June this year, at 01:23 after midnight, masked persons placed posters in North Mitrovica featuring Aleksandar Vučić’s face and the inscription “Supreme Commander, we are waiting for you”.
– On 09.07.2024, in the early morning hours, on “Kralj Petri” Street in North Mitrovica, near Raiffeisen Bank, two transport trucks and one car were set on fire. These vehicles were parked in front of the food warehouse “Market Grand”, which is owned by an Albanian;
– Then, on 14.07.2024, at 03:30 after midnight, two masked persons attacked the pastry shop “Sharr” in North Mitrovica with Molotov cocktails. This shop had been visited by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Xhelal Sveçla;
– On 21.07.2024, an explosive device was thrown near the Ujmani Lake. According to information, the act was ordered by Milan Radoičić, whose intent was to intimidate Albanian visitors frequenting the area;
– Furthermore, on 26.07.2024, at around 01:40 after midnight, two vehicles belonging to the municipality of Zveçan were deliberately set on fire by unidentified persons;
– On 02.08.2024, in the early morning hours, the Director of Health in the Municipality of Zubin Potok, Gordana Mihajlović, reported that an unidentified person threw a hand grenade into her father’s yard, which subsequently exploded;
– On 29.09.2024, masked persons threw an explosive device at the “Lab Oil” fuel station in Zveçan;
– On 02.10.2024, at around 23:30, an explosive device was thrown at a building under construction in Zubin Potok by Stevan Vulović;
– On 21.10.2024, a powerful explosion occurred in the yard of Aleksandar Perović’s house in Zubin Potok, damaging the vehicle belonging to Snezana Perović.
– On 19.11.2024, at around 00:30 after midnight, posters featuring the colours of the Serbian flag and the inscription “Here we are for Christmas” were placed in several municipalities in northern Kosovo.
– On 21.11.2024, the Serbian Ministry of Defense, through an official statement, condemned the alleged unauthorized crossing of the borderline by Kosovo Police. Following this reaction, another message was published on their Telegram platform “KORIDOR”, where threats were made to attack the Kosovo Police.
– On 26.11.2024, at around 22:55, two Serbian model M75 hand grenades were thrown at the Police Station in Zveçan. According to information, the attack is suspected to have been ordered by Nemanja Radivojević, known as “Gandi”, a member of the terrorist group and a close associate of Milan Radoičić, who is wanted by law enforcement authorities. The following day, on 27.11.2024, Nemanja Radivojević publicly endorsed the attack on the Police Station.
– On 28.11.2024, just before midnight (23:40), a hand grenade was thrown near the Municipality of Zveçan building. Shortly after midnight (29.11.2024), a message was shared on Telegram stating, among other things: “Was it said that we would celebrate Flag Day tonight? It means that the wish of the residents of Zveçan for their neighbours has been fulfilled. See you tomorrow evening, cheers!! Only one month until Christmas”. This was their communication. The Telegram post on the “KORIDOR” channel, which included the phrase “…see you tomorrow evening…” was a direct message signaling the planned attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Canal.
– Then, on 29.11.2024, at 00:58, another threatening message was posted on Telegram, which is highly likely connected to the terrorist attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Canal. It stated:
“It will be hell again, and the Ibër will run red with blood when the wolves descend from the Serbian mountains…” The next day, on 30.11.2024, the same photo was posted by Nemanja Radivojević, known as “Gandi”.
– On 29.11.2024, at around 19:00, the terrorist attack was carried out on the strategic vital infrastructure in the village of Varaga, Zubin Potok, resulting in damage to the Ibër-Lepenc water canal.
This marks the chronology of 15 terrorist attacks aimed at harming Kosovo, spreading fear across the region, from 30 June to 29 November this year. In total, 15 attacks over five months, with 14 of them essentially serving as preparations for the final one. The situation has escalated continuously, culminating in the attack on our critical infrastructure, which is vital for both water supply and electricity generation.
Dear journalists,
The terrorist attack occurred during a time of complex political, security, regional and international circumstances, such as:
– Ongoing protests in Serbia;
– The transition of power in the United States of America;
– Increased pressure from the West on Serbia to arrest Milan Radoičić;
– Serbia’s attempts to destabilize the situation in the north through hybrid actions, terrorist acts and various fabrications;
– Aggressive Serbian campaigns portraying local Serbs in Kosovo as discriminated against and threatened;
– Serbia’s plans to interfere in the elections to be held in Kosovo;
– Recent developments related to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Based on intelligence information held by security institutions, the order for the explosive attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Canal was issued by Milan Radoičić and his terrorist group, who are sheltered and supported by Serbia. The state of Serbia bears responsibility for the planning, financing and logistics of the attack.
The attack was planned in advance by Milan Radoičić. For its execution, based on the data available so far, two groups within the terrorist organization “Civil Protection,” which is funded and continuously trained in Serbia, were involved.
The first group provided logistical support on the ground. Meanwhile, the second group – consisting of several professionals, believed to include individuals from certain Serbian security structures close to Milan Radoičić—was involved in the execution of the attack. These two groups have been continuously trained and instructed by Serbian security structures, both before and after the attack of 24 September 2023, during which Kosovo Police Sergeant and Hero of Kosovo, Afrim Bunjaku, was killed.
So far, encrypted communications among several members of the terrorist organization “Civil Protection” linked to the case have been identified. The data is being processed by the relevant security institutions as part of the ongoing investigations.
Unlike the terrorist attack in Banjska, where Milan Radoičić personally participated in leading the terrorist group, this time, he undertook specific actions attempting to exonerate himself.
He had previously constructed an alibi by scheduling a meeting with members of the Serbian List on the day of the attack, specifically from 17:00 to 19:00. Thus, two hours before the attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Canal, Milan Radoičić scheduled a meeting with the Serbian List. This is how, through this predetermined meeting, he attempts to fabricate an alibi for himself. After the attack, he made phone calls, held meetings, and, in cooperation with high-ranking Serbian state structures, undertook various fabricated actions aiming to conceal his and Serbia’s responsibility. At the same time, Serbia, through its president Vučić, has activated all mechanisms to shift responsibility to other parties by fabricating various conspiracy theories. Serbian security structures have begun activities on the ground to sabotage the investigation of the case by Kosovo institutions, by contacting and interviewing various individuals in Serbia to exert pressure on them.
After the attack, Milan Radoičić, within his inner circle, expressed dissatisfaction with the results of the attack, as his expectations were that the canal would be completely and irreversibly damaged.
The terrorist attack of 29 November 2024 on the Ibër-Lepenc canal is a continuation of terrorist acts and attacks, as well as other destabilizing activities carried out by Serbian influence mechanisms in Kosovo, including Serbian terrorist organizations.
Considering that such terrorist acts require professional preparation in diversion, and the fact that Milan Radoičić is also supported by Serbian state structures, it is assessed that the explosion of the Ibër-Lepenc canal was also supported with planning and logistics by the Serbian state.
The attack would have been almost impossible to carry out by Milan Radoičić’s terrorist group without the knowledge and support of the Serbian state.
The data held by the security institutions of the Republic of Kosovo lead to the following conclusion regarding responsibility:
– “Civil Protection” – Milan Radoičić;
– Certain elements of the Serbian state;
– Serbia.
Through the combination of the terrorist attack with disinformation and propaganda, Serbia aims to make the public lose confidence in the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, raise hypotheses that aim to create divisions within the country and generate “ambiguities about the attackers” in the international community.
Other terrorist attacks and sabotage against critical infrastructure and other important targets in Kosovo, especially in the north, have been warned by terrorist organizations sheltered in Serbia, mentioning the year-end holidays and Orthodox Christmas. These attacks may be intended to be carried out, depending on the political interests of the Serbian head of state, particularly the internal tensions in Serbia – ongoing opposition protests there.
Such methods of challenging security in the Republic of Kosovo, which not only endanger and damage vital infrastructure but also cause inter-ethnic incidents, which Serbia strongly encourages, create panic among our citizens, and ultimately generate an image of an unstable country, are expected to occur in the near future, especially before and after the New Year.
However, we are committed to neutralizing this remaining method of Serbia to the maximum, despite the fact that such terrorist attacks are challenging even for powerful states. Especially when these attacks have the support and sponsorship of another state. In this case, Serbia.
Serbia has denied for 15 consecutive years, as we all know, that in 1998 it killed 6 young Serbs in Peja, an incident known as “Panda,” on 14 November 1998. For another 11 years, even though it has acknowledged that the “Panda” massacre was not committed by Albanians, it has still not held anyone responsible! And we do not expect them to hold anyone responsible because we believe that those responsible are among the key personalities in the Serbian government.
Serbia, with Milan Radoičić, planned and executed the failed terrorist attack in Banjska on 24 September 2023. Although undisputed evidence has been obtained and an indictment has been filed against Milan Radoičić and his group, he remains free in Serbia, protected there, where he plans and executes other attacks in Kosovo. Vučić paradoxically seeks to appear constructive regarding the recent attack on vital infrastructure, and there are voices demanding undisputed evidence to take action. But now the question arises: why is Radoičić not being extradited when there is sufficient evidence for the attack in Banjska?
Dear journalists,
Dear citizens,
These were some of the intelligence and security information from our agencies, which show, testify and confirm that behind the attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Canal, in the village of Varaga, Zubin Potok, stands Serbia with its elements, primarily and above all the terrorist group of Milan Radoičić, who, even after losing influence in Kosovo, continues to attempt to compensate for it with such criminal and terrorist attacks, which harm us but will never be able to undermine our security or destabilize our country.
Thank you for your attention and patience.
Last modified: December 27, 2024