WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Thursday released the following statement on Serbia’s release of Kosovo Serb leader Milan Radoicic, who had been detained in connection with the violence near the Banjska Monastery in north Kosovo on September 24:

“The perpetrators who recently killed a Kosovo police sergeant in north Kosovo must be held accountable. The ramifications of that attack could have been catastrophic – the advanced weaponry and level of sophistication used show that this was a well-coordinated, deliberate attempt to provoke a broader violent conflict.  I am deeply concerned that Serbia’s release of Milan Radoicic, who claimed responsibility for the attack, will further heighten tensions between Serbia and Kosovo and undermine the prospect for full implementation of the commitments made in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. President Vucic must take immediate actions to de-escalate the situation and ensure there is accountability for this heinous act.“

In June, Murphy and a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to prioritize addressing the deteriorating security situation between Kosovo and Serbia. The bipartisan letter followed a joint statement from Murphy, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), urging calm between Kosovo and Serbian forces.

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