On March 6, 2024, Serbian media outlets published an article titled "THE INCITEMENT OF FEAR TOWARDS KOSOVO SERBS CONTINUES. An explosive device has been thrown at the Serbian establishment in Ranillug." The article was also distributed by other outlets, including "Blic.rs," "Nova.rs," "Republika.rs," with the headline "EXPLOSION IN KOSOVO: Bomb thrown at Serbian property, significant material damage reported!" The content of the article alleges that an explosive device was thrown at the property of a Serbian owner in Ranillug near Kamenica. According to them, this is another orchestrated act aimed at intimidating Serbs in Kosovo. Besides the general reporting, these media outlets did not disclose that the owner of the establishment is of Bosnian nationality but holds Serbian citizenship. This circumstance has been clarified to Sbunker by the Kosovo Police, who stated that investigations about the perpetrators of the attack are ongoing.
According to the Kosovo Police, on March 6, 2024, "it is suspected that a hand grenade was thrown on the terrace of a restaurant, which was closed (out of operation, as it does not possess a permit for business activities from the Municipality), owned by S.Z., of Bosnian nationality, a citizen of the Republic of Serbia, residing in the village of Domoroc in the Municipality of Ranillug”. The Ranillug Police Station Investigation Unit, Crime Technicians, and other relevant units have arrived at the scene and have taken all necessary investigative actions related to the case, in coordination with the State Prosecutor's Office. Apart from material damages, no bodily injuries have been reported. "The Kosovo Police, Regional Investigation Unit in Gjilan, is taking all necessary investigative actions to identify, arrest suspects, and clarify all circumstances of the case," said the response from the Kosovo Police.
Media outlets such as "RTV21" and "Zëri.info" have also reported on the attack in Ranillug, referring to the Police report. However, the content did not provide clarification that the owner belongs to the Bosnian nationality with Serbian citizenship.
This is not the first time that in cases of attacks in locations populated by a Serbian majority, Serbian media draw conclusions that they are intentionally aimed at frightening Serbs into leaving Kosovo. Such bomb attacks in populated areas cause fear and panic among citizens, but the media should be cautious in their reporting and refrain from making ethnic qualifications, as the case is being investigated by the relevant authorities.
*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.”
