REPORT NO. 401
         ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
         AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
           BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
           OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
           FROM 16 MARCH
           UNTIL 22 MARCH 1998

REPORT NO.401

ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED BY
THE SERBIAN POLICE AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM 16 MARCH UNTIL 22 MARCH, 1998

SERBIAN POLICE ATTACKS AGAINST THE ALBANIAN VILLAGES OF THE DISTRICT
OF DEÇAN

     Yet not withdrawn from Drenica region, large Serbian forces opened a new front in the
villages of the district of Deçan quite close to the Albanian border.
     On 24 March, in the threshold of the Contact Group Meeting in Bonn, on the pretext of
persecuting "terrorist" groups, Serbian police forces attacked the villages Gllogjan,
Baballoç, Sukë, Gramaçel, Shaptej, Firajë and Dubrava of Deçan district, with heavy
weapons, armoured vehicles and helicopters. According to foreign sources, four Albanians
and a Serbian policeman were killed. Ministry for Interior Affairs declared that two
Albanians and the policeman Miodrag Otoviq were killed, whereas the policemen Rajko
Rajkoviq, Filip Raiçeviq and Slobodan Jokiq were severely wounded. There are no
information about wounded Albanians.
     Meanwhile, field associates from Gjakova informed us that two bodies were brought to
the morgue of the Hospital of Gjakova, but the police has blocked the morgue and did not
allow their identification. 3 days later, on 26 March, the police ordered to take them. They
are Gazmend Hysen Metaj (20) and Agron Nimon Mehmetaj (19) from the village of
Gllogjan. After the withdrawal. Ymer Cenë Sylaj (65), was found severely wounded and in
a state of coma at his home in the village Gllogjan. He was sent to the Clinic of the
Charitable ë Humanitarian Association "Mother Theresa" in Deçan, and afterwards to the
Hospital of Gjakova where he is under the police supervision. Rasim Himë Haradinaj (40)
from Gllogjan is also severely wounded and he is at the Hospital of Gjakova.
     Over ninety pupils of the primary school in the village of Gllogjan, who during the attack
were attending their lessons, were kept inside the school until 8 p.m. Led by their teacher
Lumnije Avdijaj, they managed to escape and walked about 15 kilometres. Around 4 a.m.,
they arrived in the village of Shaptej, where villagers offered them shelter. The next day,
on 25 March, pupils and the teacher took shelter at the Catholic Church in the village of
Novosella of Gjakova.
     In Gllogjan, fire-shootings, granates and artillery ruined and burnt up 17 houses of:
Rexhep Ukë Haradinaj, Elmi Nurë Haradinaj, Qamil Haxhi Haradinaj, Xhevat Ahmet
Bajramaj, Xhavit Nimon Bajramaj, Smajl Sylë Nimanaj, Metë Sylë Nimanaj, Gani Halil
Nimanaj, Isuf Muzli Sejfiaj, Shefqet Xhemaj Mehmetaj, Smajl Xhemajl Haradinaj, Misin
Keqë Halilaj, Shaqë Avdi Qerimaj, Brahim Mustafë Mustafaj, Islam Hasan Mustafaj, Malë
Jahë Zeqiraj and Shemsedin Rexhep Haradinaj. Some private shops were destroyed and
demolished, too. In the village, killed animals, burnt straw-stocks burnt and other damages
were registered. Blood stains were noticed in the houses of Brahim Mustafë Mustafaj and
Shaqë Avdi Qerimaj. Many villagers fled their homes and took shelter elsewhere.
     Meanwhile, after the "occupation" of the village of Gllogjan, the Serbian police arrested:
Rasim Muhamet Selmanaj, a teacher; Smajl Sylë Nimanaj (70), a pensioner; Shaban
Ramë Zeqiraj (55), a pensioner; Besim Azem Haradinaj (40), a farmer; Beqir Haxhi
Haradinaj, a farmer; Shemsedin Rexhep Haradinaj (30), a worker; Lanë Sadri Halilaj (53),
a driver; Rifat Haradinaj (35), Ahmet Cenë Sylaj, Mone Ahmet Sylaj, Lule Mehmetaj,
Gjejrone Sylaj, Mehmet Arif Bajramaj (1961) and Mustafë Sherif Ramaj - all from the
village of Gllogjan; and Zenel Lanë Dobraj (33) from the village of Gramaçel.
A member of French TV team, who managed to break through during the police attack,
claimed that he had seen police shooting towards a house and a policeman hit and
threatened an Albanian man (about 50).
In Deçan, police ill-treated a member of the F2 TV team and confiscated a tape, a
transistor and some batteries from this very same team.
     Field associates from Gjakova informed us that after the attack on the villages Gllogjan
and Dubrava, over 300 inhabitants have arrived in "Piskota" quarter of Gjakova, whereas
many escapees have taken shelter in other parts of the town and villages of this district.
Serbian forces from Gjakova left towards Jabllanica and Dushkaja. At about 8.50 p.m., fire
shots and a blast were heard in Gjakova, in the vicinity of the kindergarten between the
"Ejup Cërmjani" and "Sadik Stavileci" streets, probably in the house-yards of the families
Obradovic and Parashqevia. After 40 minutes, tanks, armoured cars and a military lorry
paraded through "Sadik Stavileci" st., and stopped three Albanian passers-by and a child.
They were hand-cuffed and arrested, whereas one of them was subjected to ill-treatment.
     On 24 March, at about 2.30 p.m., in Kijeva of Malisheva, in the vicinity of the police
checkpoint, two blasts and fire shots were heard. Then, large police forces arrived in
Kijeva, who were joined by armed inhabitants. They went on shooting towards Albanian
families for an hour. After the threats, the following left their homes: Gani Makolli, a
teacher, Bajram Sinan Maliqi, Sejdi and Ilaz Gashi, etc.
     The police attack on Gllogjan lasted from 10.30 a.m., until 9.00 p.m. After the fire
stopped for a while, police started their attack at 2.00 a.m. and damaged two houses.
     On 25 March, early in the morning, another helicopter went to the triangle Deçan-Peja-
Gjakova and the whole area was kept under surrounding. Not even the foreign journalists
were allowed to break through.
     Today, on 26 March, at the checkpoint in Junik, police physically ill-treated Xhemajl
Maloku, Qazim Maloku, Sabit Lloqani, Shaip Lloqani and some other Albanian citizens.
Police confiscated the cameras from TV teams: ABC-NEWS and SKY-NEWS.
At about 12.30 p.m., large police forces paraded through downtown Deçan and went
towards Peja.

EVENTS IN DRENICA AND SURROUNDING

     The current situation in Drenica remains to be tense. Policemen of seven checkpoints
and snipers around villages Llausha, Marina, Kopiliq, Turiqec, Broja, etc. have been
endangering the lives of the inhabitants, who have locked themselves in the house or
have left their homes. Jasharaj quarter in Prekaz i Poshtëm is still deserted. There is the
smell of gun-powder, burnt up houses and animals, whereas some escapees have
returned to the Lushtaku and Kodraj quarters.
     We were informed that 110 women, children and elderly, who have been kept hostage
for 20 days in Broja near Skënderaj, managed to break through and take shelter in the
villages around. International humanitarian organizations and some Albanian associations
have started to transport food, clothes and medicines to Skënderaj. Nevertheless, Drenica
is still under continuous besiegement.

22 MARCH:

     SKëNDERAJ: Policemen, shot by sniper towards Muhamet Spahiu (64) from Llausha,
who had attempted to feed the cattle of the neighbour that had fled his home.
At the checkpoint of Kijeva, police physically ill-treated Behram Zekaj from Murga near
Skënderaj.
Police in Komoran physically ill-treated Hysen Hysenaj (1953), an engineer, Ymri Hyseni
(1975) and Tafë Bogaj (30) from Korrotica e Poshtme.

23 MARCH:

     GLLOGOC: Today, Serbian forces were noticed moving in the direction Komoran-
Gllogoc-Skënderaj.

24 MARCH:

     SKëNDERAJ: Today, at about 12.30 p.m., military and police forces started the attack
on the villages Broja and Açareva. From time to time, tanks and mortars were heard.
     In Gllavica in the vicinity of Llausha, a missile was set up. Such a missile was used in
Sarajeva and other places in Bosnia.
In Llausha, Serbian forces have strengthened their position and sniper shots were heard
from time to time.
     MITROVICA: A lorry with soldiers and 5 "Landrovers" with policemen went towards
Skënderaj.
     GLLOGOC: Police vehicles left from Komoran towards Gllogoc, Skënderaj and Marina.
Meanwhile, three State Security employees supervised the premises of the Sub-CDHRF,
District Financial Council, District Educational Council and the LDK for two hours.

25 MARCH:

     GLLOGOC: Police vehicles passed through Gllogoc and left towards Skënderaj. At
about 10.30 a.m., four military planes flew over Drenica.
     MITROVICA: Police and military vehicles left towards Skënderaj. Whereas, a long
column of vehicles with soldiers and armed civilians left towards Prishtina.
 

OTHER INFORMATION:

22 MARCH:

     MITROVICA: In "Tavnik" quarter, police stopped the car driven by Ramadan Ahmeti
(42), who was with his companions Ramadan Bajram Kelmendi (45), Naxhije Ramadan
Kabashi (47), Mursel Ali Ibrahimi (47) and Blerim Nexhmedin Baruti (38), all of them LDK
activists, who were supervising the polling places of the presidential and parliamentarian
elections of the Republic of Kosova. Their identities were checked and the "driver" was
fined.
     OBILIQ: Police raided the house of Ruzhdi Shabani in order to confiscate the voting-
papers and ill-treated a voter. Police watched the voting in Bakshi and Bajmofc with
binoculars.

23 MARCH:

     PODUJEVA: A squad of 50 policemen raided the houses of Muharrem, Qerim and
Sadik Zeneli in Obrança and ill-treated Muharrem, Sadik, Sabri, Bedri, Qerim and Ismet
Zeneli in the presence of their family members. Sadik, Sabri, Bedri and qerim were taken
to the police station, where they were subjected to ill-treatment. They ordered to report the
next day. Sabri and Qerim are in a very deteriorated condition.
     In Podujeva, police raided the house of Hysen Shala, who was ordered to report to the
police station the next day.
     DRAGASH: Halim Shemsedini, chairman of the LDK branch, Naim Kurtishi, chairman
of the Elective Commission, and another citizen were taken for informative talks regarding
the confiscated voting-papers.
     MITROVICA: In Shipol, two policemen searched for weapons at the house of Ragip
Vesel Zyhrani (65) from Llausha, threatened Ragip and ordered him to report to the police
station the next day.
In "7 Shtatori" quarter, a group of Serbs gathered in front of the house of Bashkim Xhemë
Kabashi (40), who is currently living in Germany, and broke the windows of the house
under the pretext that he had bought the house from a Serb.
     KAMENICA: Serbian policemen confiscated the seals of "7 Shtatori" Primary School in
Krileva.
     PRISHTINA: A group of Serbian demonstrators broke the windows of the mosque
"Xhamia e Qarshisë" and prevented the religious ritual for a while.
In downtown Prishtina, Serbian demonstrators beat up a journalist and a Spanish
cameraman.
     SUHAREKA: Hajrullah Kryeziu, a merchant from Leshan, was taken for informative
talks as regard the elections.
     VUSHTRRI: After the peaceful protests of 19 March, the following were summoned to
the police station for the third time: Isuf Gashi (45), Murat Ibishi (46), Nysret Gërxhaliu (45),
Sali Gjyshinca and five other citizens. One of them was subjected to severe ill-treatment.
     KLINA: In the vicinity of the veterinarian office, police beat up Luan Dedaj from Dërsnik,
a pupil of "Motrat Qiriazi" Primary School in Klina.

23 MARCH:

     GJILAN: Many military vehicles were noticed moving towards unknown direction since
8.00 a.m. Mobilization of Serbian police was noticed in Gjilan. They gathered in downtown
Gjilan, whereas groups of policemen were situated in different parts of the town.
     PRIZREN: A police squad arrested Zenel Sallauka and Adem Zenuni, "Leskovci" st.14,
who were ill-treated at the police station and were ordered to report again the next day.
Zenel owns the house where the voting for presidential and parliamentarian elections of
the Republic of Kosova was held.
     PRISHTINA: Irena Statovci, born in Lubjana in 1953, living in prishtina, "Ulpiana" D2 H5
D10, technical secretary with "Burimi" Private Enterprise in Kijeva near Malisheva, stated
that large police forces, under the pretext of searching for a person, broke the door of their
house, while she was in with her 9-year-old daughter Djellusha. After three hours, she left
home and came to Prishtina, whereas the police remained there.

25 MARCH:

     MITROVICA: 8 policemen and 3 inspectors searched for weapons at the house of
Bajram Jaha (40) in "Tavnik" quarter, who owns a restaurant. As they failed to find any
weapons, police made a mess in the house, demolished the furniture, arrested Bajram,
who had been arrested several times before.
     GJILAN: Police and military vehicles arrived in Gjilan and went on to Ferizaj.
Police prevented all passengers from going to Prishtina, whereas uniformed policemen
and armed civilians have been patrolling the streets of the town.
In "Prishtina" st., police arrested Selami Kurteshi (1969), a medical student, an LDK
activist in Gjilan, living at "R, Popovic" st.17.
     VITIA: Astrit Maliqi (Goshica, 1979), was arrested and ill-treated at the police station for
two hours under the pretext that he had written placards for the Albanians' demonstrations.
     FERIZAJ: Nehat Reka was taken to the Security Centre under the pretext that he had
participated in the peaceful protests. He was subjected to severe ill-treatment in order to
identify other protesters shown on the video tape.
     KAÇANIK: Zekeria Krivanjeva, an engineer from Kaçanik, was arrested in Veternik, in
the outskirts of Prishtina, while he was on his way to the meeting of the Presidency of the
Republican Party of Kosova.
Adem Mustafë Sopa (1963), "2 Korriku" st., was taken for weapons to the police station
and was subjected to physical ill-treatment.

Prishtina, 26 March 1998                     Information Service