Critical damages
A terrorist attack in Kosovo and red painted squares in Serbia. The solution to a 47 year-old murder case and abandoned taxi drivers.
Good morning, everyone, and welcome back to Balkan Brew.
December is here, the holidays are getting closer, and that doesn’t sound bad at all. But we still have a few Balkan Brew issues ahead of us, so do not fear — we’ll keep you company right until then.
Today, we look back at the terrorist attack that, one week ago, left Kosovo without water and electricity. Then we move on to Serbia and its red screaming squares, before exploring what might be the end of a 47-year-old murder case. But also, do you know how many Montenegrins live abroad? Probably not — but neither does the Montenegrin government.
As usual, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s get to it.
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Critical damages
Many were left without water and electricity last Friday when a blast damaged a water canal in northern Kosovo. The news made headlines across Europe, especially after Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, accused Serbia of orchestrating a “criminal and terrorist attack” targeting critical infrastructure.
RIGHT BACK AT YOU. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić denied the accusations. He announced Serbia’s own investigation into the incident and added that, while he "does not want to say that Kurti organized" the attack, the investigation "will show everything."
RUSSIA’S HAND. The Kosovo Security Council meeting addressed the possible connection between the incident and a similar Russian attack in Ukraine two weeks ago.
EVIDENCE? According to Kosovo authorities, a police raid conducted right after the terrorist attack uncovered two hundred military uniforms, anti-tank grenade launchers, Kalashnikovs, and patches from the Russian and Serbian armies.
CRITICAL HIT, POOR DEFENSE. The destroyed water canal is part of Kosovo’s critical infrastructure, essential for the country’s functioning and security. Yet, according to RSE, these infrastructures often lack adequate protection despite their importance.
Paint it, red
DAY IN, DAY OUT. One month after the collapse of the railway station in Novi Sad, which killed 15 persons, people in Serbia are still protesting against the authorities. This week protests spread to several universities.
I NEED DETAILS. Protesters want the mayor of Novi Sad Milan Đurić and PM Miloš Vučević to resign. They also want authorities to disclose the contract behind the Chinese-led renovation of the station.
TOP SECRET. Serbian authorities have refused to give access to the info, saying the Chinese firm is against it.
WILL IT HOLD? Serbian citizens can’t help but wonder if the many infrastructural projects completed by China in recent years will hold.
SPEAKING ABOUT DISSENT. The Serbian parliament will discuss a draft law establishing a ‘foreign agents’ registry for NGOs and individuals who receive funding from foreign sources.
PUTIN’S #1 FAN. The proposal comes from vice-PM Aleksandar Vulin (former head of Serbia’s security agency, BIA), mostly known for being a fanboy of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
CAN HE? Vulin’s Movement of Socialists is a junior partner in the governing coalition: it is tough to say if he has the numbers to push the proposal through.
OF COURSE. Sources from Vulin’s party told local media that their draft law on ‘foreign agents’ was not inspired by similar Russian laws — but by the US Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938.
A 47-year-old double murder
Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett were last seen in Melbourne on January 10, 1977. Three days later, their bodies were found in their apartment at 147 Easey Street. This week, 47 years later, the prime suspect finally faced court. It’s Perry Kouroumblis, a Greek-Australian citizen.
A NOT-SO-COLD CASE. The Easey Street murders remain one of Melbourne’s most notorious cases. In 2017, police offered a $1 million reward to find the perpetrator.
A GREEK ESCAPE. That is the year in which Kouroumblis took advantage of his dual citizenship. He allegedly left Australia for Greece right as authorities asked him for a DNA sample in relation to the case.
NOT WORTH THE TRIP. Greece’s 20-year statute of limitations on murder charges prevented his arrest there. His extradition to Australia was possible after he was arrested on his arrival in Rome in September 2024.
IN OTHER NEWS.
Moldova Matters published an interesting analysis of elections in Romania — including some insights about the support of Donald Trump’s team for the far-right presidential candidate Călin Georgescu.
The government in Croatia will pay 80 euros to pensioners for Christmas. Presidential elections are scheduled for December 29, but we’re sure it’s just a coincidence.
The government of Montenegro says that Turkish criminal networks are more and more active in the country, trafficking heroin and human beings.
AND FINALLY. After years of writing about the Balkans, we know how hard it can be to have reliable data on the region. For this reason, we kinda feel some sympathy for the government of Montenegro, which — according to RSE — just doesn’t know how many of its citizens live outside the country. They are trying to figure it out: much like everyone else.
Kosovo 2.0 has published an interesting reportage about taxi drivers in Kosovo’s capital, Prishtina, and how their rights as workers are often not respected. The article includes this beautifully lyrical quote from a driver: “There isn’t a spot here where we haven’t spent time. Summer or winter, holiday or not, it doesn’t matter”.
This is all for this week. Thanks for reading and subscribing to Balkan Brew. If you like this newsletter, please support our work by spreading the word. If you notice a mistake, or if you have any comments or suggestions please reach out to us — all you have to do is reply to this email. Until next week,
You find a nice spot where you can spend time.
BB