REPORT
NO. 406
ON
THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
AND
HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM APRIL 19
UNTIL
APRIL 26 1998
REPORT NO. 406
ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
BY
THE SERBIAN POLICE AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM APRIL 19 UNTIL APRIL 26, 1998
After the killings and massacres perpetrated in
the region of Drenica, after the killings in
the village of Gllogjan, district of Deçan,
Serbian police and military forces, armed with
different kinds of weapons, moved the "front"
to an area from where they endanger the
peace in the entire region - to the border with
Albania.
According to Serbian sources, 19 Albanians, killed
on April 23, in the village of Koshara,
district of Gjakova, were identified. The following
were killed and massacred: Shefqet
Selim Aliaj (1969), Bekim Sali Aliaj, Hasan Bajram
Tahiraj, Skënder Qazim Hajdari (1969),
Gazmend Hasan Ramaj (1972), Ukë Misin Shabani
(1970), Sadik Lush Aliaj (1961),
Hajdar Ramadan Thaçi (1972) and Vehbi
Asllan Hasanaj (1967) from the village of Hereç,
district of Deçan; Veli Noci from Dujaka
near Gjakova; Astrit Xhafer Hadërgjonaj (1977),
Beqë Binak Lokaj (1968), Imer Isuf Lokaj
(1970), Bekë Sefer Hadërgjonaj (1975), Tahir
Abaz Mazrekaj (1962), Bekim Shefqet Mazrekaj
(1976), Selman B. Lokaj (1950), a
teacher, Hajdar Lokaj (1975) and Xhemajl Mazrekaj
(1969) from the village of Sllup in the
district of Deçan.
The killings were confirmed in a press conference
by Mirko Starçeviq, a colonel of the
Yugoslav army in the Prishtina garrison.
An official of the district of Kukës (Albania)
stated to the BBC in Albanian that according to
witnesses, 19 Albanians killed by the Yugoslav
army had been brought to Koshare from
the villages of Deçan after being ill-treated
and summarily executed. According to a
statement given to the Sub-CDHRF in Deçan
by a witness, who survived the massacre,
the Serbian forces executed the above mentioned
Albanians in the village of Zhara near
Batusha, 4 km within the territory of Kosova.
In the village of Kliqina, district of Peja,
Çelë Shaban Desku (41), a father of 5, was
seriously wounded. Later on, he died of wounds
inflicted. Serb media stated that the
deceased was a "loyal citizen of Serbia". Such
statements were denied by his fellow-
villagers, who claim that he was killed by the
police.
In the meantime, the "Dnevni Telegraf" daily,
informs that the investigation process against
Gazmend Tahiri (28), a professor of English,
and Ibër Metaj (36), agricultural technician,
both arrested during the action in Koshare, began.
THE EVENTS IN THE DISTRICTS OF GJAKOVA AND DEÇAN
APRIL 19:
DEÇAN: Large military forces from Peja
with 10 trucks carrying cannons were stationed at
the place called "Podi i Gështenjave".
APRIL 20:
GJAKOVA: On April 19, Yugoslav forces from the
military barracks in Gjakova once again
surrounded the village of Ponoshec, on the border
with Albania.
The situation is also tense in the villages of
Morina, Smolica, Shishman and the Dushkaja
region.
A military convoy (tanks and armored cars) from
Prizren passed through the villages of
Bec and Palabardh and headed for Deçan.
SHTIME: During the last 2 days, large military
forces with 43 tanks, were stationed at the
place called Kryqi i Belincit near Shtimja. Soldiers
have taken positions and are digging
trenches.
PRIZREN: Large military forces paraded through
Prizren and headed for Gjakova.
KIJEVA: A military convoy (11 trucks and 2 armored
cars) passed through Kijeva and
headed for Peja.
APRIL 21:
DEÇAN: At 10.45 a.m., Serbian police and
military forces attacked with artillery and
mortars the village of Baballoç.
Serbian forces accompanied with armored cars
were stationed at the Suka e Baballoçit
and in the vicinity of the refugee settlement.
In fear of massacres similar to the ones in Likoshan,
Qirez, Prekaz and other villages of
the Drenica region, the villagers are making
attempts to organize their defence.
At 11 a.m., military planes flew over the district
of Deçan. Large movements of the
Yugoslav army were noticed.
In the outskirts of the town, many cars and passers-by
are checked. In the "Turist" hotel,
weapons were delivered by police to Serbian civilians,
mainly to refugees settled in the
villages of Junik and Baballoç.
APRIL 22:
DEÇAN: Since the early hours of the morning,
police and military forces from Radoniqi
Lake, the villages of Palabardh and Boka and
the refugee settlement in Baballoç have
been shelling Suka e Baballoçit and Baballoç
itself.
Police shot lighting missiles over the village
of Sllup. Many inhabitants fled their homes and
took shelter in the village of Drenoc.
In Shkoza, large police and military forces were
stationed.
Large scale police movements were noticed in
the vicinity of the villages of Radoniq,
Sopot and Palabardh.
In the vicinity of Deçan, Jasiq and Junik
large military forces were stationed. At 6 a.m.,
they headed for the village of Koshare and were
stationed near the border with Albania. As
soldiers passed through the village of Junik
they threatened Albanian villagers with the
words "We will kill you all".
Military planes flew over Deçan. 4 trucks
full of soldiers accompanied by an armored car
headed for the monastery in Deçan.
Police deserted the police station in Irzniq.
It is supposed that the police station was
mined.
At the refugee settlement in the village of Baballoç,
Serbian civilians attacked foreign
journalists. Stones were thrown on the car of
an american TV team (AP).
GJAKOVA: The situation in the village of Dushkaja
is very tense.
Military forces were stationed in the premises
of the "Virgjinia" Tobacco Combine in the
village of Ponoshec. A part of these forces headed
for the villages of Batusha and
Koshara near the border with Albania. Some were
stationed near the dam of the Radoniqi
Lake as well as in the village of Boka near Zhdrella.
The villagers of Gramaçel and
Palabardh have started already to flee their
homes and to seek shelter in the neighboring
villages as well as in Gjakova.
PEJA: Philip Makers, a journalist of the "Deutsche
Welle" English Service, was
stopped by the police in a check-point near Deçan.
He was threatened. His
translator was beaten up and released duly.
APRIL 23:
DEÇAN: According to Yugoslav media, in
the vicinity of Koshara, on the border with
Albania, many Albanians were killed.
Serbian forces continued to shell the village
of Baballoç. 6 houses were hit.
A military plane flew over Deçan, and
went towards the neighboring villages.
Women and children have fled from the attacked
villages. Men are trying to defend their
threshholds.
GJAKOVA: Serbian police and military forces stationed
near the dam of the Radoniqi
Water Supply are shelling Suka e Cërmjanit.
The roads leading to Cërmjan, Doblibarë,
Bec as well as to the other villages of the
Dushkaja region were blocked by large police
and military forces.
During the night, Serbian military forces shelled
with heavy artillery the villages of
Ponoshec and Morina near the border with Albania.
RAHOVEC: Military trucks, 7 tanks and 3 armored
cars were stationed in the village of
Boka near Kramovik. Later on, large forces consisting
of 16 tanks, 3 armored cars and 30
military trucks were stationed in the very same
place.
7 buses full of members of special police units,
left Prishtina and headed for Gjakova.
Women and children fled from Cërmjan and
Kramovik and were sheltered in the
neighboring villages.
TIRANA: According to the "Koha Jonë" daily
the first 20 refugees from Kosova arrived in
Albania.
APRIL 24:
DEÇAN: In the vicinity of the Health Care
Center in "Podi i Gështenjave" large military
forces were stationed.
Detonations were heard from the villages of Baballoç
and Gramaçel.
Continuous shooting from heavy weaponry can be
heard from the Serbian positions in
Radoniq. 2 helicopters from Montenegro flew in
the direction of the villages on the border
with Albania.
2 vehicles with armed Serb civilians are parading
through Deçan. It is believed that they
are the ones who kidnapped Ali Ramë Hasani
from Dashinoc.
A gang of Montenegrins from the village of Dashinoc
is ill-treating Albanians in the district
of Deçan.
The situation is very tense and many families
have started to flee their houses in order to
seek shelter in safer areas.
GJAKOVA: The situation in the district of Gjakova
is very grave due to the actions
undertaken by Serbian forces in several neighboring
villages.
Loud detonations can be heard from the Dushkaja
region.
The shelling of Suka e Cërmjanit continues.
The shelling represents a threat to the
Radoniq Water Supply Dam. Large military re-enforcement
arrived to Gjakova. Police and
military helicopters flew over the town.
The gravest situation is in Reka e Keqe, on the
border with Albania. Re-enforcement are
arriving in the villages of Ponoshec, Morinë,
Batushë, Kosharë, Babaj of Boka and Deva.
Large forces were stationed on the road connecting
Gjakova with Rahovec and Prizren.
APRIL 25:
DEÇAN: The attack of the Serbian forces
on the village of Baballoç re-began. The shelling
and shooting lasted until 7 a.m.
The situation in Deçan is burdened by
the lack of food provision.
A military convoy from Gjakova consisting of
12 tanks, 5 trucks with cannons, an armored
car and 26 trucks full of soldiers passed through
Deçan. The soldiers sang chetnik songs.
Hysen Çollakaj from Baballoç (his
car was seized) as well as Hysen Kasumaj, Mehmet
Agaj and Gani Rexhaj from Gramaçel were
arrested by the Serbian police.
GJAKOVA: The situation in the district of Gjakova
is dramatic, especially in the region of
Dushkaja. The Yugoslav army is shelling Suka
e Cërmjanit by heavy artillery. This place is
flooded by those who fled the war region.
At about 11.30 a.m., large police and military
forces shelled the Bajraktari quarter in the
village of Morina, on the border with Albania.
7 houses were damaged.
From 10 until 12 p.m., loud detonations were
heard from Baballoç and other villages of the
Dushkaja region.
Xhemile Tahiraj (35) and her daughter Eldiana
Hasan Tahiraj (4) were wounded during the
Serb attack on the village of Hereç.
Xhavit Din Aliaj and Ibër Metaj, both from
Hereç were arrested in Batusha.
Ibrahim Selmanaj, a taxi driver from Gjakova,
was arrested by the police and ill-treated for
more than 4 hours. He was accused of transporting
"suspicious people" and was
interrogated on the events in the region.
Avdyl Hamzaj from Jabllanica and Idriz Asllani
from Deva were arrested by the police in
Gjakova.
7 workers of the Radoniqi water supply were blocked
for 48 hours. Police did not allow
their colleagues to come and overtake the shift.
In Gjakova, police is raiding the houses of those
who offered shelter to the villagers who
fled the attacked areas.
APRIL 26:
DEÇAN: The shooting and shelling in this
region continues.
The road to Hereç was blocked as the Serbian
police and military troops brought the
corpses of the 19 Albanians killed on April 23.
The villagers of Hereç were prevented
in going back to the homes they had fled.
THE EVENTS IN DRENICA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
APRIL 20:
SKëNDERAJ: At about 8 a.m., Serbian police
started looting the houses in Broja as well
as slaughtering the cattle.
From 2.30 until 6 p.m., the villages of Broja,
Kopiliq and Açareva were shelled with heavy
artillery. 72 grenades fell on the village of
Kopiliq. 7 houses were hit. Sniper shots were
fired on Llausha. MITROVICA: 3 APCs, 2 trucks,
3 land-rovers and 1 jeep from Mitrovica
headed for Skënderaj.
GLLOGOC: The family of Dr. Hafir Shala, a physician
with the Health Care Center in
Skënderaj, has no information on his whereabouts
for 11 days now.
Jakup Topalli (1962) from the village of Baica
near Gllogoc, repatriated from
Germany, is being kept in the pre trial detention
in Smrekovnica, district of
Vushtrria.
APRIL 21:
SKëNDERAJ: During the night, many shots were
fired from the police check-points and
Ammunition Plant towards the surrounded villages.
Military planes flew over the region.
Musli Baliu (40) from the village of Turiqec
and a villager from Llausha were wounded.
In Llausha, the house of Halil Geci, a member
of the Presidency of the LDK branch in
Skënderaj, was shelled.
Many passengers travelling to Mitrovica were
turned back by the police. The bus travelling
from Klina e Epërme to the village of Runika
was stopped by the police and turned back.
GLLOGOC: A convoy consisting of: 16 tanks, a
land-rover and 6 military trucks was
stationed at the place called "Quka" near Komoran.
70 military vehicles headed for Peja.
In the county jail in Prishtina, 2 Albanian prisoners-one
from the village of Arllat near
Gllogoc and the other from Prekaz, are being
ill-treated every day.
APRIL 22:
GLLOGOC: The following were stopped and physically
ill-treated by the police at the
check-point in Komoran: Gani Krasniqi (1960),
a principal from the village of Negroc;
Hamit Rr. Imeri (1979) from the village of Zabel
i Epërm, a pupil with the "Leonik Tomeu"
Technical Secondary School in Gllogoc as well
as Veton Gashi and Gani Morina (1955)
from the village of Arllat, teachers with the
"Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Gymnasium in
Gllogoc.
PRISHTINA: A convoy consisting of 6 tanks and
many military trucks paraded through
Shkabaj. It was stationed in Gazimestan.
KLINA: Large military forces paraded through
the villages of Volljakë, Qupevë, Gremnik
and Dollc.
At the check-point in Pogragja, police physically
ill-treated Adem Sylë Shlivova, a pupil with
the "Luigj Gurakuqi" Gymnasium.
APRIL 24:
SKëNDERAJ: From 3 p.m., police fired bullets
against the surrounded villages of Broja,
Vojnika, Açareva, Kopiliq and Llaushë.
Large police forces from Mitrovica were stationed
at the Ammunition Factory. Shooting from different
kinds of weapons can be heard. Police
re-enforcement arrived in Gllogoc.
LIPJAN: Serbian military forces were stationed
between the villages of Fushtica and
Rusinovc.
APRIL 25:
GLLOGOC: A military convoy consisting of: 10 buses
full of soldiers, 3 APCs, 3 trucks and
an armored car headed for Prishtina.
SKëNDERAJ: In the village of Broja, Avni
Feriz Shala (36) was seriously wounded. His
brother Besim Shala (24), a 45 year old woman
and a 9 year old child were wounded, too.
APRIL 26:
MITROVICA: Large scale movements of the Serbian
forces were noticed towards
Skënderaj.
OTHER INFORMATION:
APRIL 19:
VUSHTRRI: In the village of Brusnik, some 250-300
Serbian soldiers accompanied by 4
tanks, 2 cannons and 30 military trucks, were
stationed. The military forces are continuing
their maneuvers.
The situation in Brusnik and the neighboring
villages of Nevolan, Bukosh, Dubovc, Galicë,
Kollë, etc, is tensed.
FERIZAJ: On the road from Gjilan to Ferizaj,
masked Serbian speaking persons stopped
the bus of the "Fatoni Commerce" agency, ill-treated
the passengers returning from
Austria and looted about DM 10.000.
During the last 2 nights, in the villages of
Nerodima and Pleshina, pamphlets for the
Referendum of Serbia were thrown into the yards
of Albanian houses.
At the "Braqa Mandiq" gas station, between Subotica
and Novi Sad, 5-6 policemen
checked the identities of students Shaban Matoshi
(1971) and Bashkim Mrizani (1967)-
from Greme as well as Shaban Qosja (1967) from
Sllatina e Epërme, Viti. They were taken
to the police station, interrogated, insulted
and physically ill-treated. Their passports were
seized.
PRISHTINA: Mixhait E. Veliqi (1975) from the
village of Polac was stopped by the police.
He was severely ill-treated, insulted on a national
basis and threatened to be arrested and
liquidated if seen again in Prishtina. DM 20
were looted from him.
MITROVICA: The following were stopped and physically
ill-treated at the bus station in
Stantërg: Feriz Hajriz Kërleshi (34),
Sylë Selman Tahiri (24), Nexhmedin Sefedin Haziri
(20), Hajzer (32) and Miftar Mehmet Kurti (26).
As the policemen found out that Miftar is a
teacher and a member of the Presidency of the
PPK branch in Mitrovica they provoked
him. He was severely ill-treated and suffered
many injuries. He had to seek for medical
help.
KAÇANIK: Remzi Ahmet Gashi (1960), a worker
from Begraca, was summoned for
weapons to the police. Idriz Xhemajl Kuqi (1944)
and Ismet Pajazit Loku (1948) from the
village of Kotlina as well as Vesel Stërgllava
from the village of Pozharan were stopped by
the police and arrested. DM 7000 were looted
from Vesel.
RAHOVEC: In the early hours of the morning, 2
policemen were wounded in the local
police station.
APRIL 20:
GJILAN: In the vicinity of the villages of Partesh
and Cërnica, large scale military
movements were noticed. They were stationed in
the nearby fields.
Movements were noticed in the vicinity of the
poultry farms near the villages of Livoç i
Poshtëm and Cërnica.
At the Radiator Plant in the outskirts of Budrika,
a village mainly inhabited by Serbs, 15
military trucks were stationed. A group of soldiers
blocked the road and stopped the traffic
while a military convoy passed to Budrika. The
soldiers shot bullets from their automatic
guns.
12 transporters and 9 tanks paraded through the
center of Gjilan and were stationed in the
military barracks.
Ibrahim Isufi (1961), a farmer, living in "Abdullah
Presheva" st. 175 in Gjilan, was severely
ill-treated by the police. He was insulted on
a national basis. Due to injuries suffered he
had to seek for medical help.
VUSHTRRI: 2 Serbian civilians with their cars
obstructed the protest walks and provoked
protestors.
VITI: Marko Rajkoviq, the compulsory principal
with the primary school in Vërbovc, closed
the doors of the school branch in Mogilla. Albanian
pupils had to go on forced leave, until
April 28, because of the Orthodox Easter holiday.
MITROVICA: Compulsory principals with the "Nonda
Bulka", "Muharrem Bekteshi",
"Andon Zako Çajupi", "Bedri Gjinaj" and
"Ismail Qemali" primary schools prevented
Albanian pupils from entering school buildings
because of the Orthodox Easter.
PRIZREN: 2 military officers entered the premises
of the "Ardhmëria" Primary School in
Landovica. They informed Islam Thaçi,
the school principal, that military units were
stationed in the vicinity.
Shemsedin Jahja (1981) from Landovica, was beaten-up
by 3 Serbian soldiers and was
threatened with the words "we will kill you all".
Nuhi Hoxha (1964) from Randobrava, an activist
of the LDK, as well as Gani and Arben
Morina from Gjakova were stopped by the police,
sent to the local police station and were
physically ill-treated under the pretext that
they were surveying the activities of the army.
Alush Shehu from Dushanova, living in "Hasan
Prishtina" st. 42 and Beqir Hoxha from
Prizren, living in "Ulqini" st. 96, were sentenced
to prison terms of 3 months for being in
possession of weapons without permit. The two
were arrested on April 11.
On the road from Prizren to Dushanova, in the
vicinity of the "Paçarizi" private gas station,
2 policemen stopped the car driven by Fehmi Hoxha
from Prizren, owner of the "Llapusha
impex" firm, living in "Ulqini" st. 102. He was
physically ill-treated under the pretext that he
had prevented the movement of a military convoy.
PODUJEVA: Some 60 trucks, buses and armored cars,
armed with anti aircraft cannons
passed through the town and headed for Prishtina.
Serbian police re-enforced its positions in the
vicinity of the "Besiana" motel in Podujeva
and in the villages of Kërpimeh, Lluzhan
and Orllan. 7 Albanian workers and 3 truck
owners were forced to carry a load of sacks of
sand for setting up barricades.
Police blocked all cross-roads and checked cars
and passers-by. Police stopped Bahri S.
Demiri (24) from Podujeva and his fiance, Iliriana
Rr. Mulolli (22) from the village of
Shajkoc. Bahri was physically ill-treated, whereas
Iliriana was insulted on a national basis.
HANI I ELEZIT: During the last 2 days, hunting
weapons with regularly issued permits
were seized from the following: Zemri Bajramliu
from Rezhanca, Ibrahim Meliqi from Meliq,
Nazif Bushi from Pustenik and Mynir Curri from
Dërmjak.
RAHOVEC: In the village of Dobidol the following
were sheltered: 21 villagers of Gllareva
near Klina, 2 families from Gllogoc and one from
Peja.
PRISHTINA: At about 10.15 a.m., a military convoy
was stationed in the forests of
Barileva. At about 9 p.m., in the vicinity of
the ambulance of the "Mother Theresa"
Humanitarian ë Charitable Association many
fire shots from the neighboring Serbian
houses were heard.
FERIZAJ: 3 tanks and a truck left the military
barracks in Ferizaj and headed for the village
of Shtime.
BEOGRAD: The "Blic" daily wrote that in the course
of 1997, 1060 workers were
dismissed from the "Trepça" combine.
APRIL 21:
PODUJEVA: Large police forces paraded through
the streets of Podujeva.
FERIZAJ: During the last 2 days, Zhika Iviq,
a person in charge at the railway station,
offered Albanian workers to sign a list regarding
the forthcoming referendum on April 23.
KAMENICA: Bujar R. Qarri (1977) was kept in detention
from April 17 until April 21. He
was imprisoned as he had put flowers at the place
where his brother Ardian was killed.
VUSHTRRI: Naim Zahiti (1979), living in "Shote
Galica" st. 68, was arrested by the police.
According to police inspector Dushko Janjiq he
was arrested due to "illegal activities".
After the protest walks, Hashim Ali Parduzi (60),
Beqir Begu (70) and many other
Albanians were summoned to the police.
KAÇANIK: Police seized the hunting guns
of Xhavit Nebih Koraçi (1956) and Mexhid
Ahmetaj from the village of Kovaçec as
well as that of Xhafer Luta (1937), a forester in
Ivaja. The three had regularly issued permits.
PRISHTINA: Two police inspectors searched for
Shefki Ukaj, a journalist of the "Blic" daily.
Abdurrahman Kadrolli (1967), living in "Bistrica"
st. 8, whose passport was seized, was
summoned to the police, insulted and threatened
to hand in DM 10.000.
SUHAREKA: 5 military trucks and 2 jeeps full
of soldiers were stationed in the village of
Gjinoc. 5 soldiers and 5 military officers came
to Samadrexha, observed the surrounding
area and continued their road to Nëpërbisht.
VITI: Serbian police has intensified the control
of cars and passers-by.
Shooting can be heard from the villages inhabited
by Serbs.
PEJA: Bujar Avdullah Morina from Loxha and Përparim
Bajram Gashi from Treboviq,
pupils of the Economic Secondary School in Peja,
were beaten by a group of Serbian
civilians.
MITROVICA: Police at the check-point in Shipol
stopped the "Kosovatransi" bus. The
identity of passengers was checked. Brahim Shala
(43) from Peja and Murat Muharrem
Haliti (32) from Lubavec near Skënderaj,
teachers with the "Frang Bardhi" Gymnasium in
Mitrovica were physically ill-treated.
Sabri Feriz Halili (21) from the village of Zhabar
i Epërm, Remzi Bektash Hasani (21) and
Hakif Mehmet Mehmeti (19) from "Kodra e Xehetarëve"
were physically ill-treated due to
their participation in protests.
APRIL 22:
PRIZREN: Ali Bytyçi (1971) from Sërbica
e Poshtme was stopped, his "Volvo" car was
seized, he was taken for informative talks and
physically ill-treated. Ali was accused of
transporting protestors.
FERIZAJ: At about 10.00 p.m., a bomb exploded
in "Muharrem Shemsedini" st.
Sahit Thaçi was taken by the police and
sent to serve a prison term of 30 days. He was
imprisoned due to illegal possession of weapons.
PEJA: In the outskirts of the town, police stopped
the bus travelling to Rugova. All the
passengers were forced out of the bus. Bashkim
Malë Beqiraj (1977), Sadik Ahmet
Kurtbogaj (1974) and Ramë Fazli Kurtbogaj
were physically ill-treated.
MITROVICA: In the vicinity of the green market,
Basri Shaban Gashi (25) from the village
of Shipol, was arrested by the police. He was
sent to the police station in Mitrovica and
was physically ill-treated due to his participation
in protests. He was asked to identify the
other protestors.
PRISHTINA: At the Hani i Elezit border cross
with Macedonia, Serbian police seized the
passport of Shukrije Gashi, a journalist of the
"Bujku" daily. She was travelling with a
delegation of women to an international meeting
in Struga.
APRIL 23:
PODUJEVA: Police re-enforcement were sent to all
check-points. A helicopter flew over
several villages in this district.
MITROVICA: Many Serbs were drafted in the "Ibri"
quarter.
FERIZAJ: 4 Serbian youngsters paraded through
the town. They were carrying Serbian
flags as well as flags of the Serb Radical Party.
The group sang chauvinist songs and tried
to provoke the Albanians.
As the premises of the "Gjon Sereçi" Primary
School in the village of Talinoc were
occupied because of the Serbian referendum, classes
in Albanian could not be held.
ISTOG: At the refugee camp in Istog as well as
in the village of Gurakoc Serb warriors
from 1990 were called to be drafted for the defence
of their fatherland.
PRIZREN: Due to the Serbian referendum, classes
in Albanian could not be held in the
"Lekë Dukagjini", "Emin Duraku" and "Mati
Logoreci" Primary Schools in Prizren; "Ibrahim
Fehmiu" in Dushanova; "Sezai Surroi" in Korisha
and "7 Marsi" in Gërnçar. In the village of
Gërnçar, Albanian teachers and pupils
were forced out of the school. Policemen said that
the school premises would be used for the referendum
only.
PEJA: Many families, mainly women and children,
that fled their homes due to the grave
situation in the villages of Gërgoc, Dashinoc
and Dushkajë in the district of Gjakova
arrived in the villages of Vranoc and Baran.
Skënder Brahim Gashi (1963) from Qyshku
near Peja was beaten-up by the police.
MITROVICA: War planes flew over Mitrovica and
its surroundings.
PRISHTINA: 4 military trucks full of soldiers
paraded through the "Jabllanica" road in
"Kodra e Trimave".
Arkan was seen in Hajvalia during a visit to
the Serbian special police units.
RAHOVEC: In the village of Xërxa police
checked passers-by. Many were ill-treated.
SUHAREKA: Many Serbs were drafted by the police
and given weapons.
KLINA: Dalip Gashi from the village of Zajm as
well as Aziz and Agim Zogu from Klina
were physically ill-treated by the police.
APRIL 24:
MALISHEVA: Large police forces were stationed
in Malisheva and its surroundings, in the
vicinity of the secondary school, "Elektro-Kosova"
building, ambulance, green market and
on the roads to Kijeva and Prishtina.
Police fired bullets towards a car and intervened
in the Hotaj quarter. The families of
Murat, Muhamet and Arife Hoti were raided. The
house of Muharrem Hoti was demolished.
Jewelry was stolen. Driton (12), Valon (10),
Lulzon (11) and Edona Hoti (4) were
threatened. Feride Hoti (68) was forced to lie
down. A cross was drawn on the wall of the
house. Bajram Gashi, Murat Hoti and Zaide Hoti-Gashi
were beaten-up by the police.
Sefer Krasniqi, a professor with the "Abdyl Frashëri"
Secondary School; Mërgim Sylejman
Hoti and Kastriot A. Hoti, pupils with the very
same school as well as Ejup and Rrahman
Kryeziu were beaten-up by the police.
Police intervened in the "Arta" private enterprise.
Safet Rudaj, Bekim and Zejnullah Hoti
were physically ill-treated.
Police intervened in the premises of the "Adem
Bajrami" Primary School in Kijeva. Gani
Gashi, the principal of this school, was physically
ill-treated.
PODUJEVA: A military and a police convoy from
Nish headed for Prishtina.
FERIZAJ: At the place called "Ura e Balajve",
police stopped a bus and checked the
identity of all passengers.
Xhemil Ismaili, a teacher with the "Skënderbeu"
Primary School in the village of Jezerc
was ordered to report to the local police station
in Jezerc.
MITROVICA: An armored car was stationed in the
vicinity of the green market.
Islam Brahim Kalludra (40) from the village of
Pirç was arrested by the police. He was
released when a Serbian neighbour of his stated
that Islam never had any weapons.
Ferat Selim Deliu (69) from the village of Broboniq
was physically ill-treated by the police in
the village of Tërstenik near Skënderaj.
ZHUR: At about 9 p.m., a group of 10 policemen,
wearing bullet proof vests, paraded
through the center of the village. They entered
the "Cuca e Maleve" pastry shop and
ordered those present to lean on the wall. All
were thoroughly checked.
PRIZREN: Florim Thaçi from the village
of Caparc, Ardian Çoçaj from Gjonaj, Sajmir Uka
from Koisha, Fejzë Kryeziu from Pagarusha
and Veprim Thaçi from Shkorehniku, pupils
with the "Luçiano Motroni" Medical Secondary
School in Prizren, were stopped by 2
policemen in the vicinity of the green market.
Their identities were checked and they were
insulted. Veprim was brutally beaten-up.
KLINA: Afrim Ali Berisha (1980) and Afrim Hajdar
Berisha (1981) from Kliqina, pupils of the
"Luigj Gurakuqi" Secondary School in Klina were
wounded by the police. As the two had
been afraid of being ill-treated they had tried
to flee from the police.
PEJA: The houses of Tahir and Ramë Abazi,
Zenel Atashi, Hamdi Seniku and Haxhi
Berisha in the village of Jashanica, were raided
and demolished by the police.
Naim Binak Abazi (22), Jeton Murat Abazi (17)
and Fekë Bajram Atashi were physically ill-
treated.
GLLOGOC: Large police forces blocked the roads
leading to Malisheva. The police station
in Gllogoc was fortified with sacks with sand.
VUSHTRRI: Police raided the house of Shaip Tërstena.
APRIL 25:
GJILAN: Groups of Serbian civilians are being
armed with automatic guns. They are
parading through the town. 3 tanks were noticed
heading in the direction of the gas station.
PODUJEVA: 2 military convoys (34 trucks, 9 armored
cars) from Nish headed for
Prishtina.
In the triangle between Batllava-Podujeva and
Prishtina, large police forces were
stationed. Passers-by are checked.
In the village of Pollata, 8 policemen observed
the surrounding area. On doing so, they
returned to the police station in Kërpimeh.
MITROVICA: Since the early hours of the morning,
groups of policemen are checking and
ill-treating passers-by. Policemen are patrolling
through the town, especially through the
quarters of "Tavnik", "Ura e Gjakut", "Bair"
and Shipol. Most of the policemen had been
drafted during the previous days.
Serbian military forces continue their maneuvers
in the village of Kçiq i Madh. Shooting
and detonations from heavy weaponry can be heard.
Lulzim Behram Behrami (17) from the village of
Varnica was stopped and physically ill-
treated by the Serbian police.
SUHAREKA: An APC, full of policemen wearing bullet
proof vests, headed for the village
of Reshan.
RAHOVEC: In the outskirts of the villages of
Rahovec, Xerxë and Gexhë, large police
forces were stationed. 5 APCs full of soldiers
paraded through the town of Rahovec and
headed for Malisheva.
VUSHTRRI: Shooting was heard from the train station
in the village of Druar. Ilir Merovci
(20) from Dobërlluka was wounded. He had
to be hospitalized in Mitrovica. Police went to
the spot and found an "Askona" car.
During the protest walks in Vushtrria, Isuf Sinan
Begu (1981) from Kurillova was arrested
and physically ill-treated.
KLINA: Police shelled the houses of Miftar and
Asllan Hajrë Rraci in the village of Siçeva.
Miftar's wife and grandson were wounded.
Shooting was heard in the village of Cerrovik,
opposite of the police check-point in Kijeva.
Shooting could also be heard in the villages
of Resnik, Jellovc and Jashanicë. A helicopter
flew over these villages.
Ismet Rraci, chairman of the LDK branch in Klina
and Fazli Rraci were arrested and taken
for informative talks.
SHTIME: Shefqet Fehmi Ahmeti (19), a tobacco
vendor, was physically ill-treated by the
police.
APRIL 26:
PODUJEVA: At about 9.45 p.m. and in the early
hours of the morning shooting from
automatic guns and a loud detonation from the
"Besiana" hotel was heard. Large police
forces are stationed in its vicinity. Police
went to the spot, surrounded the neighboring
quarter and is checking passers-by.
PRIZREN: Large police and military forces accompanied
with tanks and armored cars
were stationed in the region of Has on the border
with Albania. The villages of Gjonaj,
Mazrek, Planejë, Gorozhup and Zym are kept
under siege. Shooting was heard in the
village of Gorozhup. Up to now, no casualties
were reported. Women and children are
fleeing the region and are seeking shelter in
neighboring villages as well as in the town of
Prizren.
SUHAREKA: 2 military helicopters flew over the
villages of Suhareka and Malisheva.
PRISHTINA: Police in the "Mother Theresa" city
promenade stopped and arrested the
following students Refik Bajrami (1974) from
Velegllava and Burhan Morina (1974) from
Topanica e Gjilanit. The two were taken to the
basement of the Radio Prishtina building,
insulted, provoked and threatened not to participate
in the protests. They were physically
ill-treated and suffered many injuries.
KLINA: Since April 24, the situation in the villages
of Siqeva, Jellovc, Resnik, Jashanica,
Ujmir, Çabiq and Cerovik is very tense.
These villages are under the iron siege of the
Serbian police and military forces. The freedom
of movement is hindered. Large scale
police and military movements can be noticed
all around the region. Shooting from
different kinds of weapons can be heard.
PEJA: As people were returning from the funeral
of Çelë Shaban Desku, Serbian civilians
from the village of Babiq fired bullets towards
them.
DELAYED INFORMATION:
KLINA: On April 10, Petrit T. Rexhepaj (1981)
from Zabërgja, a pupil with the "Luigj
Gurakuqi" Secondary School in Klina, was stopped
and was physically ill-treated by the
police at the check-point in Dollc. He suffered
many injuries and was threatened not to go
to school.
On April 15, 3 Serbian policemen destroyed the
bridge connecting the villages of
Dugajeva and Poterç i Epërm.
Kolë Berisha (1967), a lab technician from
Dugojeva near Klina, was arrested and
physically ill-treated by the police in the outskirts
of Peja.
On April 16, a police patrol from the village
of Dollc intervened in the house of Elmi
Zenunaj (1961) from Gremnik, a merchant, owner
of the "Zenunaj Trade" enterprise. He
was severely ill-treated in the presence of other
family members. Later on, he was taken to
the police check-point in Dollc and ill-treated
until he fainted. On being sent to the police
station in Klina he was released and told that
he was the wrong person. Elmi suffered
serious injuries and had to seek for medical
help.
On April 18, at the check-point in Dollc, police
seized 12.500 kg of flour. The flour was
aimed as aid from the "Mother Theresa" Humanitarian
ë Charitable Association to the
people of Drenica.
Xhemajl Rraci, a jurist from Klina and an activist
of this Association was taken for
informative talks.
HANI I ELEZIT: On April 14, Avdullah Bela, living
in "Uji i Thartë", was sent to serve a
prison term of 30 days due to illegal possession
of arms. Under the same pretext Enver
Kalisi, Adem Shkreta, Ismail Bela, Avdullah Daci,
Imri Kiki, Bebib Thaçi and several others
were summoned to serve their prison terms from
30 to 60 days.
On April 17, Avdullah Hasallari (1953), a machinist
and Nuri Luma (1952) from Lagja e Re,
were dismissed from work. Sllavko Shurdhan, the
compulsory principal of the "Salloniti"
enterprise dismissed them due to their participation
in the peaceful protest walks.
On April 18, during the protest walks in Hani
i Elezit, a military patrol arrested the following
youngsters who were grazing their cattle: Nexhat
Shemsi Suma (16), Burhan Faik Suma
(14), Mitat Zejnel Suma (16), Gadaf Qahil Shiti
(17), Besnik Sahit Mici (14) and Arben Nebi
Suma (13). Their hands were tied and they were
sent to the military barracks. After half an
hour they were released.
PEJA: On April 14, police in downtown Peja stopped
Mehmet S. Shala (1972) and Reshat
A. Qelaj from Naklla. The two were physically
ill-treated and sent to the Rugova gorge (5
km out of town). On being threatened with liquidation
they were forced to take off their
shoes and to throw them and their ID's in the
river. They were beaten-up by a group of
some 14 policemen and thrown in the river. Due
to injuries suffered they had to seek for
medical help.
On April 14, on his way to Prishtina, Sylë
R. Nikçi (27), a physician from the village of
Nabërgjan, was stopped at the check-point
in Komoran, his identity was checked, he was
physically ill-treated and attacked by 2 trained
police dogs.
On April 17, Visar Ramë Hoxha (1982) and
Korab Agim Bala (1982), pupils with the "Bedri
Pejani" Gymnasium, living in the "Kapeshnica"
quarter, were stopped by the police,
physically ill-treated and threatened not to
go out to town.
GJILAN: On April 15, Ramiz Jashari (1951), an
economist of the "Fad Commerce"
enterprise and an LDK activist, living in "R.
Popoviq" st. 86, was summoned for informative
talks to the police. He was interrogated by police
inspector Zhivorad Deniq on the current
political situation and on the establishment
of the Organizational Council of the New LDK.
On April 17, military officers from Ferizaj,
forced Muharrem Demiri, an official from the
village of Shurdhan to accompany them during
their inspection of the borderline with
Macedonia.
On April 18, Serbian authorities in the prison
of Gjilan, demanded from Albanian prisoners
to vote on the forthcoming Referendum of April
23.
VITI: On April 16, Zukë Zuka (1970), a student
and the secretary of the LDK Youth Forum
branch in Vitia, was summoned for informative
talks to the premises of the Security Center
and was interrogated on his political activity
and peaceful protests in Vitia.
FUSHë KOSOVA: On April 18, 4 policemen raided
the house of Osman Syla (1955), a
welder in "Elektrokosova". The policemen searched
for weapons, demolished house
furniture, and looted 228 boxes of cigarettes
estimated to DM 3000. Osman was
summoned for informative talks and was physically
ill-treated.
Shemsedin Zogaj (1958) from Fushë Kosova,
a teacher with the "Gjergj Kastrioti
Skënderbeu" Gymnasium in Gllogoc, was stopped
by the police at the check-point in
Komoran, provoked and physically ill-treated.
MITROVICA: On April 18, 2 armored cars were stationed
in Stantërg and Tuneli i Parë.
Many passers-by were stopped.
PRISHTINA: On April 18, police in "Drenica III"
searched for Fitore Berisha, who is
currently living in Germany.
Prishtina, April 26, 1998 Information Service
senden