US sanctions against Veselinovic and Radoicic spark reactions in Pristina and Belgrade

Notorious businessmen from northern Kosovo, Zvonko Veselinović and Milan Radoićić, who maintain close relations with the highest authorities in Serbia and participate in numerous affairs, have been sanctioned by the US Treasury for allegedly bribing politicians to secure their illegal business: smuggling goods, money, drugs and weapons between Kosovo and Serbia.

Just one day after US President Biden announced a new anti-corruption strategy, the first step in this direction was taken – the US Treasury sanctioned a group of Serbian criminals from northern Kosovo, led by Zvonko Veselinović, and a criminal group from El Salvador.

The US Treasury's explanation states that Veselinovic is one of the most notorious corrupt figures in Kosovo.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti welcomed the United States' decision to impose sanctions on organized crime groups from several European countries, including Zvonko Veselinović's group in northern Kosovo.

Osmani said in a Twitter post that "Institutions under the flag of Kosovo are fully committed to the rule of law and will cooperate with the United States to ensure that our region does not become a safe haven for such criminal groups."

Prime Minister Kurti also welcomed the decision of the United States to impose sanctions against Zvonko Veselinović and an organized crime group operating in northern Kosovo.

"Responsible for the trade of goods, money, narcotics and weapons between Kosovo and Serbia, this group is the best proof that crime in northern Kosovo is a daily reality that violates the rule of law and the rights, freedom and well-being of citizens," Kurti wrote on Facebook.

He assessed that the decision of the United States of America confirms the legitimacy of the actions of the Kosovo Police a few weeks ago in the municipality of North Mitrovica against smugglers of illegal goods.

"We will fight against the links between the interethnic cooperation of criminal groups and their transnational reach through the cooperation of officials of our institutions, regardless of ethnicity, and international cooperation with our allies and partners," said the Prime Minister of Kosovo.

The US decision was also welcomed by the former Prime Minister of Kosovo and leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, also reacted to US sanctions against corruption and organized crime networks in the Western Balkans, including a criminal group operating in northern Kosovo led by Zvonko Veselinović.

Borrell wrote that the US decision on sanctions is an important step in the fight against organized crime in the Western Balkans.

"The United States' appointment is an important step in the fight against organized crime in the Western Balkans. Dismantling transnational criminal networks contributes to security, stability and promotes the rule of law throughout the region. The EU is fully committed to achieving this common goal," Borrell wrote.

On the other hand, their "protector", Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, has reacted to the decision of the US Treasury Department to impose sanctions on Zvonko Veselinović, Milan Radoić, the deputy leader of the Serbian List, and ten other individuals, as expected. It is indisputable that Vučić himself supports criminal activities in northern Kosovo, but also the Serbs there who are in Kosovo's institutions.

For Vučić, the Serbian List is his hand and voice in Kosovo, so there is no doubt that Vučić himself has not benefited from his loyal Serbian List and its candidates, and also, the rhetorical question arises whether Vučić and his people have participated in criminal acts?

Defending his honor and reputation, Vučić, commenting on the US decision, denied that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) led by him had received money from Zvonko Veselinović.

"They haven't given us a single dinar, I don't know about the others. The party I lead has enough money thanks to state funds and membership fees. These are our basic resources. We don't need any extras," Vučić said.

He said at a press conference on December 8 that he had received an informal report from the American Embassy about this decision.

"They accused them first of illegal trade. In the end, they will accuse them of not respecting the border between Kosovo and Serbia, but that is their business. If there are any serious accusations, our state authorities will investigate them," Vučić said.

Even though the Serbian president has had connections with Kosovar businessmen Zvonko Veselinovic and Milan Radojicic for years, Aleksandar Vucic's statements on the subject are very contradictory. From "I've never heard of them" to "I have photos with Veselinovic."

In the explanation for the American sanctions, these "friends" of the ruling party are linked to arms and narcotics smuggling, but also to an organized criminal group which is accused of suspected involvement in the murder of Oliver Ivanovic.

The businessmen mentioned have been connected to the ruling party in Serbia for years, while Radoićić himself is a senior representative of the Serbian List.

"To be honest, I think I've seen Zvonko Veselinovic twice and I've always spoken publicly about it, I don't believe we've ever heard each other in our lives. I don't even have his number registered on my phone... Maybe he had some company in Kosovo, so I talked to someone, so he was present, but I don't believe that either. I don't think I've talked to Milan in my life, I haven't talked to him if he hasn't been present at the meetings when I convey messages to people from Kosovo and where the representatives of the Serbian List are sitting, so everyone addresses me. In no other way," Vučić expressed himself "convinced".

BIRN and KRIK investigative journalists have written several times about the closeness of Zvonko Veselinovic and Andrej Vucic, the president's brother. At that time, photos of Andrej Vucic were published in the company of people who are now on the US sanctions list.

The public heard about Milan Radoić from Vučić, who described him as “a man who protects the Serbian people and the homelands in northern Kosovo.” Later, when his name was mentioned in connection with the murder of Ivanović, he defended him with the words: Radoić is not a saint, but I have evidence that he was not involved in the murder of Oliver Ivanović.

Now this "saint" is on the US sanctions list.