Kosovo Blames Serbia for Annexation Attempt After Tense Shootout

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti accused Serbia of attempting to annex part of Kosovo through a paramilitary incursion, leading to a deadly shootout and increased tensions. The international community is urged to hold Serbia accountable. Kosovo prosecutors have charged 45 people with crimes related to the incident, including a prominent Serbian politician.

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Tuesday accused Serbia of attempting to annex a part of Kosovo through an incursion by an armed group, resulting in the death of a police officer in a shootout and escalating tensions. Kurti urged international intervention to pressure Belgrade into surrendering the gunmen who retreated to Serbia after a 12-hour standoff at the Serbian Orthodox monastery in Banjska, located 55 kilometers north of Pristina. "Serbia is responsible and should be held accountable," Kurti stated. "Their plan was to divide and annex part of Kosovo."

According to Kurti, the paramilitary group was financed and orchestrated by Serbia and had previously smuggled a large cache of weapons into Kosovo for prolonged conflict. Kosovo police later confiscated 105 weapons and over 80,000 ammunition rounds, while Serbia insists the gunmen acted autonomously. A road in Banjska was named Afrim Bonjaku in honor of the deceased police officer.

This month, Kosovo prosecutors filed charges including violation of constitutional order, terrorism, funding terrorism, and money laundering against 45 individuals, further heightening tensions between Kosovo and Serbia. Among those charged is Milan Radoicic, a politician and businessman linked to Serbia's ruling party. Last year, Serbia briefly detained Radoicic, who claimed he was part of the paramilitary group but denied the charges. The EU and the US have condemned the attack and demanded justice, while EU spokesman Peters Stano reiterated the call for swift prosecution on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)