The 64-year-old was struck down by six bullets in January 2018 outside his party headquarters in the Kosovo city of Mitrovica, where the Ibar river draws a line between a mainly ethnic Albanian community in the south and Serbs in the north.
ADVERTISEMENT
One year later, a Serb politician's murder still haunts Kosovo
A year after Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic was killed in a drive-by shooting in Kosovo, his unsolved murder continues to haunt this tense and crime-ridden corner of Europe, where the main suspect is still on the run.
The murder of Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic in January 2018 has still not been solved
The bleak city is still a hotbed of tension 20 years after Kosovo broke away from Serbia in a separatist war, a move Belgrade has never accepted.
Like most of the Serb minority in Kosovo, Ivanovic did not recognise Kosovo's independence.
But the articulate politician but was considered rare among his ilk for efforts to build bridges with Kosovo Albanians, whose language he also spoke.
ADVERTISEMENT
His strong criticism of Belgrade's policies made him a frequent target of the scathing campaigns of Serbia's scathing pro-government tabloids, as well as of the local political allies of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
But it also cast him as a symbol of resistance among Serbian opposition groups, who will march through Belgrade in his honour on Wednesday, the first anniversary of his death.
Ahead of the demonstration, which comes amid a series of anti-government protests in Serbia, a mural was painted in Belgrade depicting Ivanovic's face with a sombre gaze, next to his words: "One cannot live in an atmosphere of fear".
'Wild West of the Balkans'
After his death, Serbian authorities were quick to suggest the murder was fuelled by ethnic hatreds.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, many Serbs say they believe the murder was more likely linked to Mitrovica's criminal underworld.
Ivanovic had long maintained that crime, not ethnic divides, was the biggest curse in impoverished Mitrovica.
Dubbed the "Wild West of the Balkans," the city's northern half is said to be a smuggling hub for goods ranging from drugs to petrol.
In off-record comments to the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) that were made public after his death, Ivanovic described how "informal centres of power" were calling the shots in North Mitrovica.
He named Milan Radoicic, a well-known Kosovo Serb politician and Belgrade ally, as one of the key players.
ADVERTISEMENT
In late November, Kosovo special police attempted to arrest Radoicic, whom they suspect was connected to Ivanovic's murder.
Although they arrested three other Serb suspects, including two policemen, in North Mitrovica, when they got to Radoicic's house, he wasn't there.
The 40-year-old's whereabouts remain unknown, though he is widely believed to have taken refuge in Serbia.
Speaking to Serbian media after the raid from an unknown location, he insisted he had "nothing to do with Oliver Ivanovic's murder".
Lie detector tests
ADVERTISEMENT
Radoicic has enjoyed a rapid rise in Kosovo Serb politics in recent years, becoming the second highest ranking member of the main "Srpska lista" party in June 2017.
Locals say he was present at nearly every important meeting in Mitrovica, though they are hesitant to talk about him publicly.
"I had been unemployed for years and everyone told me to go to Milan (Radoicic)," said one man who requested anonymity, explaining that the quid pro quo was his vote for Srpska lista.
Radoicic's alleged role in the Ivanovic murder has now become the latest strain in Serbia and Kosovo's bitter relations.
The politician has received strong backing from Belgrade throughout the ordeal, with the Serbian president previously describing him as a leader who "protects Serbia in Kosovo".
ADVERTISEMENT
Since the police raid, Vucic has kept up his defence of Radoicic, recently telling public broadcaster RTS that he "not only did not kill (Ivanovic), but he did not participate in logistics, help or anything else."
As evidence, he said Radoicic had passed a lie detector test.
Rada Trajkovic, an ethnic Serb politician in Kosovo, blasted Vucic for coming to his defence.
"At this decisive moment, which must define relations with Kosovo, the president of Serbia sets in motion all the resources and apparatus of the state to defend and protect a suspect for a Serb crime against a Serb in northern Kosovo," she told local newspaper Danas.
"It seems almost incredible."
ADVERTISEMENT
Over in Pristina, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has also been urging Serbia to cooperate in the murder investigation and not become a "haven" for Ivanovic's assassins.
But as with most matters of dispute between the bitter neighbours, few have hope of a rapid resolution.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
Trailblazing Prof. Jane Agyemang: The political powerhouse shaking up the NDC!
John Mahama can’t succeed me as President because I defeated him twice – Akufo-Addo
I won’t be a driver’s mate to John Mahama – Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyeman
‘Dumsor’ challenges will end in a few days – ECG Board Chairman assures Ghanaians
We’ll prosecute corrupt appointees under Akufo-Addo’s govt – Prof. Opoku-Agyeman
How First and Second Ladies rejected and refunded all allowances given to them since 2017
Russian Deputy Defence Minister, Ivanov detained for accepting large bribes
Vice President Dr. Bawumia meets Pope Francis in Rome
![The suspect pleaded guilty to threatening and offensive behaviour [Task & Purpose]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "The suspect pleaded guilty to threatening and offensive behaviour [Task & Purpose]")