Several Serbian-language media outlets published a claim yesterday by the director of the Office for Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, according to whom, "among the Kosovo Police during the action in Banjska there were hired killers trained in terrorist camps, and they were ordered not to return until they killed all the Serbs."
Petkovic links this claim to speculation that Kosovo's Interior Minister, Xhela Sveçla, did not allow EULEX to be present in order to hide who was among the Kosovo police who came to kill Serbs.
Eulex has denied the claim that it was not allowed to participate in Police operations related to the September 24 attack on this security institution in Banjska, Zvecan, and that the operation was carried out in coordination with KFOR.
Link to the article published in several Serbian-language media outlets:
https://www.kurir.rs/vesti/politika/4253246/vanredno-obracanje-petra-petkovica
Petkovic claims that EULEX was not allowed to participate in police operations during the attack on this security institution, in order to hide who was among the Kosovo police who came to kill Serbs, claiming that there were hired killers among them, and the goal was to kill all Serbs.
The EU mission, EULEX, has denied the claim that it was not allowed to participate in Kosovo Police operations, stating that it will monitor activities carried out related to the attack, such as investigations, seizures and raids. (here)
"EULEX was in no way prohibited from participating in or observing the operations carried out by the Kosovo Police on 24 September.".
"The Mission has monitored and will continue to monitor activities carried out by the authorities in Kosovo related to the attack, such as investigations, seizures and searches. In accordance with their mandate and Kosovo legislation, EULEX representatives were present during the autopsy, in their capacity as monitors.".
Furthermore, the NATO Mission in Kosovo, KFOR, has stated that they acted in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and EULEX on Sunday when Serbian terrorists attacked the police patrol.
Through a statement, KFOR reiterated that the Kosovo Police intervened in accordance with its rights as a first responder.
“As highlighted in the KFOR statement issued on 24 September 2023, following the attack against the Kosovo Police in Banjska, the Kosovo Police intervened in accordance with its law enforcement rights, as a first responder. KFOR troops were present in the area. They closely monitored the situation and were ready to respond, if required. At all times, the Kosovo Police, EULEX and KFOR acted in close coordination, as first, second and third responders, respectively.” (here)
Regarding the claim that the goal was to kill all Serbs, the deputy director of the Kosovo Police in the northern region, Veton Elshani, spoke about the police action in Banjska, where he said that the goal of the Kosovo Police was not to kill the attacking group, but to release terror from the armed group. (here)
"The planning by the police at the scene was very good. We did not intend to kill 30 people. We did not intend to commit any murders. We intended to free our territory from criminal groups. If there were any injuries, the victim was part of the process. We consider that we have achieved our goal of achieving the goal with as little damage as possible."
Analyze:
Petkovic falsely claims that among the Kosovo Police during the action in Banjska there were hired killers who intended to kill all Serbs, and that is why EULEX was not allowed to participate in this operation.
EULEX has denied denying them permission to participate in Kosovo Police operations, and KFOR has announced that Kosovo Police intervened in accordance with its rights as first responders, in coordination with them.
Furthermore, the Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police in the northern region, Veton Elshani, said that the goal of the Kosovo Police was not to kill the attacking group, but to release terror from the armed group.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info considers this claim to be "misinformation".
Rating:
A “Disinformation” rating is given to media reporting that contains a “mix” of inaccurate sources or even half-truthful content. This rating will also address reports that have incorrect attributions or headlines that do not reflect the text in terms of information accuracy.