On the second anniversary of the heroic death of Officer Afrim Bunjaku, state leaders paid tribute at the cemetery in the village of Samadrexhë in Vushtrri, where his body rests. From there, they once again called on Serbia to cooperate with Kosovo authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice, with chief terrorist Milan Radoiçiq at the forefront.
On September 24, 2023, an armed group of Serbs, led by terrorist Milan Radoiçiq, attacked the Kosovo Police. During the attack, Officer Afrim Bunjaku was killed, and others were injured.
Special forces killed three Serbs on the spot, while members of the terrorist group escaped to Serbia via mountain routes.
To honor the life and work of hero Afrim Bunjaku, deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo, municipal mayors, colleagues, and citizens of the deceased also attended the tribute in the village.
The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Dimal Basha, said that the death of hero Afrim Bunjaku represents the continuation of the legacy of the UÇK soldiers to ensure that Kosovo remains indivisible and unique.
Basha called on the Serbian state to hand over the criminals who killed Afrim Bunjaku, while urging the international community to put pressure on Serbia in this regard.
“During our conviction, we believed the war had ended and our country had given enough martyrs, but it was proven again that security personnel, officers like Afrim Bunjaku, are a continuation of the legacy left by UÇK soldiers—that Kosovo remains indivisible and unique… We are always ready to support security institutions so they have full backing from the state to protect the country from any danger, especially from fascist Serbia, to which we call for the handover of terrorists for whom indictments have been issued for a year. We call on the international community to pressure the Serbian state,” he said.
The acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, said that the heroic death of Officer Afrim Bunjaku brought Kosovo greater territorial integrity, state sovereignty, and rule of law.
While calling for the criminals of the terrorist attack in Banjskë to be handed over to Kosovo institutions, Kurti urged the international community not to consider Serbia as a normal state.
“Kosovo gained much more territorial integrity, state sovereignty, rule of law, peace, and security. Therefore, the heroic death of Afrim Bunjaku was not in vain; it was a sacrifice that strengthened the Republic of Kosovo, our independent state, both internally and in its international reputation, proving we are a state capable of defending itself, with police officers who sacrifice their lives to protect citizens without discrimination… He was the first to confront the blockade in Banjskë of Zvečan, as an experienced officer… He did not allow younger police officers to approach the blockade, which was set up by paramilitary Serbian groups led by Radoiçiq… We now call on international actors not to consider Serbia a normal state as long as it does not hand over organized criminals led by Milan Radoiçiq and supported by official Belgrade. The indictment includes 45 individuals, and they must be handed over immediately to Kosovo,” he said.
Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, said September 24 is one of the most important days in the Republic of Kosovo.
“This day, two years ago, which began as extremely tragic and painful, ended as the proudest day in the history of Kosovo,” he said.
The Director General of Kosovo Police, Gazmend Hoxha, also attended the tribute in Samadrexhë, stating that Officer Afrim Bunjaku sacrificed his life for law and security, calling the Battle of Banjskë a victory.
“Afrim was an exemplary police officer, a true professional, and a brave man who sacrificed his life for law and order for all citizens without discrimination. As an institution, it is our duty to honor, respect, and elevate Afrim and ensure that his legacy for a free Kosovo, where law and order prevail, is fulfilled. We honor all police officers of the Banjskë battle—it was a victorious battle. I hope such incidents do not occur again, but if they do, we are ready to defend our country,” declared the police director.
Today marks two years since the terrorist attack in Banjskë, Zvečan, carried out by an armed paramilitary group with heavy artillery. The main responsibility for this terrorist attack lies with the Serbian List deputy, Milan Radoiçiq.
The terrorist attack two years ago aimed at annexing northern Kosovo.
Although the Special Prosecutor’s Office of Kosovo issued an indictment on September 11, 2024, 42 of the accused, including Milan Radoiçiq, remain free, while three others arrested by the Kosovo Police are facing justice.
For the 42 accused who remain at large, the Basic Court in Prishtina has issued international arrest warrants.
The trial of Blagojr Spasojeviq, Vladimir Toliq, and Dushan Maksimoviq began on April 17 of this year, with all three denying the charges.
