REPORT NO. 407
         ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
         AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
           BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
           OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
           FROM  APRIL 26
           UNTIL  APRIL 30  1998

REPORT NO. 407

ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED BY
THE SERBIAN REGIME AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM APRIL 26 UNTIL APRIL 30, 1998

On April 28, 1998, at about noon, the corpses of Haxhë Mustafë Tolaj (1960), Sadri Azem
Latifaj (1963) and Edmond Hysni Dabiçaj were brought from Gjakova to the village of
Prejlep near Deçan. The 3 were killed by the Serbian police and military forces at the place
called "Stërgun" in the vicinity of the village of Voksh in the district of Deçan. According to
Serb media, which refers to sources from the Yugoslav army, Hysen Smajl Latifaj (1980),
Fadil Zenun Dabiçaj and Bedri Musë Kukalaj (1977) were wounded during the very same
incident.
On April 29, 1998, while returning from the funeral of the above mentioned, police stopped
and summarily executed Bilall Idriz Mazrekaj (1972) from the village of Drenoc.
During his funeral many citizens were ill-treated by the police. Many had to seek for help
from the villagers of Drenoc.
Osman Brahim Lataj, Elmi Zenun Ukëhaxhaj and Xhevdet B. Cacaj from the villages of
Carabreg i Epërm and Carabreg i Poshtëm, sought aid in the premises of the Sub-CDHRF
in Deçan.
Police fired bullets at the primary school in the village of Prejlep.
On April 29, at about 11 p.m., fire shots were heard in the village of Duhle. The shooting
continued until the early hours of the morning. Blood stains can be seen on the spot.
On April 27, Xhemajl Bislim Krasniqi (58) from the village of Çabiq, living in the village of
Klinavc near Klina, was found killed in the village of Gllobare in the vicinity of the road
Gllogoc-Skënderaj. It is said that he was a collaborator of the police authorities.
On April 28, at about 9.30 p.m., Rozafat Minush Kamberi (14), living in the "Mulla Jusufi"
quarter in Gjakova was wounded by the police. He was immediately taken to hospital.
The situation in Kosova continues to be very tense, especially in the region of Drenica and
those bordering with Albania in the districts of Deçan, Gjakova, Peja and Prizren.
Information on large re-enforcement of police and military forces continue to arrive. These
forces provoke and ill-treat Albanians, to cause panic and further tense the situation in
order to force them to flee their homes.

THE EVENTS IN DRENICA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

SKëNDERAJ: Shots were heard and large police movements were noticed at all check-
points surrounding the Drenica villages. The villages of Kopiliq i Poshtëm, Turiqec,
Vojnikë, Burojë and Rakinicë were shelled. The houses of Jakup and Sylë Syla, in the
Qarkaj quarter in Rakinica, were hit. Serbian forces used heavy artillery and rockets.
Several houses were hit, burnt and destroyed. Shooting can be heard from the hill dividing
Skënderaj and Llausha. The house of Jahir Bala was hit. Policemen stationed at the
Ammunition Factory are provoking Albanian citizens.

APRIL 26:

GLLOGOC: Serbian police units, accompanied by 2 armored cars and a tank, fired bullets
at the "Feronikli" bus in the village of Llapushnik. Several houses at the Gashi quarter
were hit.

APRIL 27:

SKëNDERAJ: Between the villages of Llausha and Kopiliq, at the place called "Varri i Beqir
Mehmetit", policemen from the check-point in Kopiliq fired bullets towards the car of a
Japanese diplomat. One was injured. Hamdi Gashi, an eyewitness from the village of
Rezalla, who offered help to the injured diplomat, quoted him saying that the police had
shot at their car.
GLLOGOC: Fresh police forces were brought to the police station in Gllogoc. Several
masked persons were with them.
7 armored cars, 5 military trucks, 2 jeeps and several different vehicles were stationed in
the village of Arllat in the direction of the Gjergjica quarter.
Many vehicles full of policemen were stationed in the outskirts of the village of Llapushnik
and of Balinca.
At about 11 a.m., bullets were fired towards the village of Negroc.
In the village of Gjergjica, police forces heading for Peja exchanged fire with armed
persons. Later on, a truck was noticed pulling a destroyed armored car.
Police from the check-point in Kijeva fired bullets towards the village of Cerovik. Fire was
returned.
Halim F. Smakiqi (1932) from Abria e Poshtme near Skënderaj was physically ill-treated at
the check-point in Kijeva until he fainted.
Jeton H. Balaj from Korrotica e Epërme near Gllogoc and Mehdi Gjoshi (1958), secretary
with the "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Gymnasium in Gllogoc were physically ill-treated at
the check-point in Komoran.
MITROVICA: 7 buses, 4 armored cars, 6 military trucks and many other vehicles full of
policemen headed for Skënderaj. Policemen were stationed on both sides of the road from
Lushta to Tërrnavc.

APRIL 28:

GLLOGOC: Safet B. Berisha (1979) from the village of Gllanasella was physically ill-
treated by the police in the vicinity of the "Feronikel" Factory in Gllogoc.
Bashkim H. Sylaj (1982), a pupil with the "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Secondary School
in Gllogoc, was physically ill-treated at the police check-point in Komoran.

APRIL 29:

MITROVICA: 7 trucks full of policemen, 6 trucks full of soldiers, 3 armored cars and 5
vehicles pulling cannons left Mitrovica and headed for Skënderaj. All traffic from Mitrovica
to Skënderaj was stopped. Witnesses claim that most of these vehicles headed for Peja.
A truck full of policemen left Mitrovica and headed for Zubin Potok.

APRIL 30:

GLLOGOC: In the forest opposite the "Hasan Prishtina" Primary School in the village of
Llapushnik police forces accompanied by 3 APCs and one armored car were stationed.
Large police forces were also stationed near the village of Negroc towards Grejc and
Klina.
At noon, a military helicopter flew over the villages of Llapushnik, Negroc and Gjergjicë.
In the vicinity of Gjergjica, police physically ill-treated 3 passers-by from the village of
Balinca near Klina.
 

THE EVENTS IN THE DISTRICTS OF DëÇAN AND GJAKOVA

APRIL 26:

GJAKOVA: Large police and military forces were stationed in Reka e Keqe near the
border with Albania.

APRIL 27:

DEÇAN: In the early hours of the morning (3-6 a.m.), large police and military forces
shelled the village of Voksh.
In the vicinity of the army positions near the village of Hulaj, a military helicopter landed.
The helicopter flew over the village of Voksh and headed for Deçan and Gjakova. 25
military vehicles headed for this region.
The situation in this region continues to be very grave. Women, children and the elderly
are forced to flee their homes and to seek refuge in safer areas. Police patrols are
stationed on all roads. The road to Peja and Gjakova is blocked.
Ramë Mehmet Osmani (1964) and Rifat Osmani (16) from the village of Morina near
Gjakova, were physically ill-treated by the police at the check-point in Junik. GJAKOVA:
Police and military forces were stationed at the poultry farm in the village of Bec. A part of
these forces headed towards the villages Reka e Keqe.
Ndue Shkoza (1951), Luz Shkoza (9148) and Mark Krasniqi (1960) from Meqa as well as
Ahmet Avdiaj from Cërmjan were physically ill-treated in the premises of the police station
in Gjakova. They all suffered body injuries.
The house of Hatixhe Abdyli, a housewife and mother of 4, in the village of Shishman was
raided by the police. She was arrested and sent to the women's jail in Lipjan.

APRIL 28:

DEÇAN: Shooting can be heard from the villages of Baballoç and Gramaçel.
Police and military forces are parading through the center of Deçan. Snipers took
positions. Police in the outskirts of Deçan tore the accreditation cards of foreign journalists.
GJAKOVA: Large police and military forces were stationed in the vicinity of the Tobacco
Plant in Gjakova.
3 armored cars were stationed in Çabrat.
6 tanks, 5 trucks full of soldiers and 3 trucks full of weapons pulling cannons were
stationed in the poultry slaughterhouse in Bec.

APRIL 29:

DEÇAN: Loud detonations can be heard from the villages of Baballoç and Gramaçel.
A truck full of ammunition was unloaded at the police station in Deçan.
12 armed Serbian civilians were noticed in the vicinity of the mosque in Deçan.
The situation continues to be very grave. Shops and schools do not work. Special police
units equipped with heavy weaponry paraded through the town.
Kadri Misin Dervishaj (1950), Bajram Muharrem Dervishaj (1962) and Idriz Osman
Dervishaj (1968) from the village of Irzniq, were arrested by the police in the village of
Raushiq near Peja while waiting to buy gasoline.
GJAKOVA: Armored cars and heavy artillery were stationed in the vicinity of the premises
of the "Virginia" Tobacco Plant in Gjakova. Their barrels were pointed towards the town. All
roads to town were blocked.
Agron Syla (22) was arrested by the police in the village of Ponoshec. Large military forces
paraded through this village. Police set up barricades with sacks with sand. Agron was
beaten-up and taken to the police station in Ponoshec.

APRIL 30:

DEÇAN: From midnight until the early hours of the morning (5 a.m.), shooting could be
heard from the villages of Baballoç and Gramaçel.
Most of the shops are closed. Schools do not work. Police and military forces are parading
through the town and neighboring villages. Snipers can be noticed in many locations.
Kadri, Bajram and Idriz Dervishaj were released from the police station in Deçan. The
three were arrested on April 29, in the village of Raushiq. Haxhi Bazhdaraj from the village
of Carrabreg was released, too. All were severely beaten by the police.
The situation in Junik is concerning. Policemen from the check-points in the vicinity of the
village are ill-treating Albanian citizens.
3 police check-points were set-up towards the village of Ponoshec.
Hasan Sylë Krasniqi, a student, was physically ill-treated by the police. He was kept in the
police station for more than 6 hours.
The very same happened to Islam Qestaj, Albin Shehu and Labinot Tofaj (14).

OTHER INFORMATION:

APRIL 26:

VITI: On April 25-26, 2 military tanks accompanied by large police forces were stationed in
the village of Debëllde and on the border with Macedonia. Weapons were given to Serbian
civilians.
PODUJEVA: In the village of Lumëmadh police is surveying the terrain. Large police and
military movements can be noticed in the region. Passers-by are checked by the police.
Bel Hashim Gashi and his 2 sons were physically ill-treated while working on their land in
the village of Bajçina.
PEJA: Isuf M. Kastrati (65) from the village of Dobërdol; Afrim S. Qerreti (1974), a worker
temporarily employed in Germany and Mentor R. Qerreti, a student, both from the village
of Krushec, were arrested by the police and physically ill-treated.
KAÇANIK: Large police and military movements were noticed in the district of Kaçanik, in
the villages of Sllatina, Doganaj and Glloboçica as well as on the border with Macedonia.
KAMENICA: In the village of Domaroc, which is inhabited by Serbs, police unloaded a
truck with bullet proof vests in the house of a person named Mosha.
KLINA: Bullets were fired on the shop of Kolë Z. Berisha (1967) in the village of Dugajeva.
5 military officers took photos of the terrain in the villages of Muçivërca and Rogaçica.
RAHOVEC: Abaz Sefer Zyberaj from the village of Drenoc was severely ill-treated by a
group of 20 policemen.

APRIL 27:

SUHAREKA: A military helicopter flew over Suhareka and its surroundings.
MITROVICA: Isuf Jashari from the village of Prekaz i Epërm and Ismet Zejnullahu from
Llausha, teachers with the "Sylejman Vokshi" Primary School in Broboniq were beaten-up
by two groups of policemen.
3 policemen went to the houses of Nezir Ahmet Doroci (76) and Hysen Kadri Doroci (56)
and interrogated them on the whereabouts of the KLA.
In the village of Bare, the Serbian watchmen of the Hide Factory, fired bullets provoking
Albanian pupils and villagers.
PEJA: Avdi Smajl Lajçi (17) and Fadil Isa Shala (25) from Drelaj as well as Shpëtim Nagip
Gjikolli (1977) and Arbnor Izet Burri (1977) from Peja were stopped in the Rugova Gorge
and were physically ill-treated. Other passengers were forced out of the bus and insulted.
Bullets were fired over their heads.
Zhuj Lajçi (1935) and his son Kapllan Lajçi from the village of Shtupel i Vogël were
stopped by the police while going to work. They were provoked (a bomb was put in their
pockets) and ill-treated. Hard currency was sought from them.
PRISHTINA: At 9 p.m., Jeton Hamit Deliu and Bekim Gashi (1974) from Skënderaj, were
arrested by the police in the center of Prishtina. They were sent to the police station and
kept there until midnight. The two were interrogated and severely ill-treated.
HANI I ELEZIT: Large police and military movements can be noticed. 2 APCs left the
military barracks and headed for the village of Krivenik on the border with Macedonia.
During the protests, Zylbehar Hasallari, chairman of the local LDK branch, was arrested by
the police.
Shaip Agush Curri from the village of Dermjak was arrested for weapons. On being
severely ill-treated he was released but ordered to report again.
PRIZREN: After midnight, between the villages of Krusha e Vogël and Pirana, in the
vicinity of the "Fatoni" gas station, two policemen Sërgjan Vojisllav Iliq (1968) from Prizren
and Bojan Novica Nikoliq (1974) from Leskovc, were seriously wounded and sent to the
Prishtina hospital. Automatic fire and loud detonations could be heard. All traffic on the
road from Gjakova to Prizren was stopped.
In the village of Pirana, police stopped the bus of the "Shehu" travel agency. All
passengers were forced out. The following were physically ill-treated: Nazif Qenaj (1977) a
student from Romaja; Mehmet Muçaj, a pupil with the "Gjon Buzuku" Gymnasium in
Prizren; Fetah Krasniqi (1970) a worker employed abroad; Shefki Krasniqi, a baker from
Demjan; Arianit Duraku (1978), a student and Besnik Hoti (1980), a pupil from Krusha e
Madhe as well as Fatmir and Sadri Popaj (1981), pupils from Bellacërka. They were ill-
treated under the pretext of being members of the KLA. As a group of foreign journalists
approached the scene, the policemen ordered the people to enter the bus and to leave.
As people were gathering for the peaceful protests in Prizren, Servet Berisha, a teacher
with the "Ymer Prizreni" Economic Secondary School, was arrested by the police. He was
severely ill-treated and kept in the premises of the local police station for more than 3
hours.
After the protests, Mentor Bobaj (1979) from Korisha and Vëllaznim Morina (1981) from
Lubizhda, pupils, were physically ill-treated.
MITROVICA: Hamzë Shaban Shabani (20) from Akrashtica near Vushtrria and Ardian
Avdi Spahiu (18) from the village of Tërstenik near Skënderaj were physically ill-treated by
the police in downtown Mitrovica. The two were ill-treated as they did not speak any
Serbian.
KAÇANIK: Freskim Ramadan Jezerci (1983), a pupil living in "M. Tito" st. 6, was stopped
by the police. 6 boxes of cigarettes estimated to DM 50, were taken from him and he was
beaten.
PODUJEVA: 30 military vehicles (armored cars, trucks and APCs) were seen heading for
Prishtina.
The police station in the village of Lluzhan was fortified with sacks with sand. The barrels of
the cannons were pointed to the surrounding hills.
MALISHEVA: Large police forces surrounded the villages of Balinca, Llozica, Mleçan and
Kijeva.
Shooting can be heard from the police positions in Llozica. As a consequence, pupils left
school and returned to their homes.
KAMENICA: In the village of Dygidell, between Shipashnica e Poshtme and Kolloleq, 20
policemen were stationed. They are checking cars and passers-by.
VUSHTRRI: At the check-point in the village of Nedakoc, police physically ill-treated Musli
Ademi from Pestova.
KLINA: At the check-point in the village of Dollc, police physically ill-treated Faruk N. Racaj
(1971) from Zajm.

APRIL 28:

PEJA: In the vicinity of the Technical Secondary School in Peja, Blerim D. Ibërdemaj
(1981) and several other pupils were beaten-up by the police.
Bashkim Halil Hasanaj (1972) from Peja, living in "Tavniku" st. 3, was beaten in the vicinity
of the Department store. He had 6 teeth broken.
RAHOVEC: From the check-point in the village of Kramovik, police snipers fired bullets
towards the house of Ali Rama.
Afrim A. Krasniqi (1966) from Denja and Muharrem T. Kabashi from Opterusha were
brutally beaten by the police in Kramovik.
PRISHTINA: In the village of Vranidoll, 2 policemen stopped the bus of the "Jonuzi Turist"
travel agency. Jonuz Jonuzi (1955), the bus driver from Barileva was beaten-up by the
police. He presented the doctors report.
In front of the District Assembly in Prishtina, a Serb civilian threatening with a gun, looted
DM 320 from Naip Musolli from Shajkoc near Podujeva and DM 200 from Mustafë Feta
from Penjuh near Podujeva. He was driving a car PR 669-07.
KAÇANIK: Police searched for weapons in the houses of Reshat Rushit Zharku in the
village of Bob and that of Ramush Kasem Zharku in "Lagja e Re" quarter in Kaçanik.
MITROVICA: Large police forces were stationed in the vicinity of the green market. A
military truck was stationed near the entrance of the "Trepça" mine.
PODUJEVA: A military convoy headed for Prishtina. Large police and military movements
can be noticed in Podujeva and its surroundings.
Some 30 policemen, accompanied by an armored car surveyed the area from Banja near
Shakovica to Kulina.
Police raided in search for weapons the house of Isa Maksuti in Popova. 2 youngsters
were arrested after the peaceful protests.
VUSHTRRI: Police and military forces stationed in the village Brusnik, shot from their
weapons in order to show their presence and readiness for action.
KLINA: On April 27-28, Elizabeta Ndrecaj (1959) from Klina, an activist of the LDK, was
physically ill-treated by policeman Zharko Stojanoviq. She was accused of gathering
information for the needs of Albanian political parties.
Florim Hysen Dobrani (1982), a pupil from the village of Zajm, was brutally beaten by a
policeman named Milosheviq and a Serbian civilian.
ISTOG: A police check-point was set-up in the village of Zallq.
The Shala family, living in the vicinity of this check-point was threatened.
Demë Loxhaj, chairman of the Independent Trade Union of Foresters, was taken for
interrogation on his political activity, his recent stay in Germany and the current political
situation in the district.
SUHAREKA: 5 Serbian civilians, led by Vekosllav Angjelkoviq from the village of Dollc,
provoked Albanian citizens in Mushtisht. They sang Chetnik songs raising three fingers
and threatening to kill all the Albanians.

APRIL 29:

KLINA: The situation in the district of Klina, especially in the villages of Siqeva, Ujmir,
Çabiq, Cerrovik, Jashanicë, Pogragjë, Resnik, Jellovc, Gjurgjevik and Gllarevë, is
threatening to explode.
In the villages of Cerrovik, Çabiq, Gllarevë and Gjurgjevik fire was exchanged between
Serbian police forces and Albanian villagers. Serbian police used different kinds of
weapons.
Military planes flew over Gllareva. Helicopters were used during the police action. The
houses of Zenel and Alush Pantina, Halit Kapllanaj and Bajram Blakaj were hit and
damaged. Bullets were fired towards Rexhep Hasanaj, Tafil and Xhemë Morina. A number
of cattle were killed. The house of Salih Rrahmani in Gjurgjevik i Madh was hit. Hasan
Berisha from Volljaka and Nexhdet Sylaj from Gjakova were arrested.
FERIZAJ: Vehat Murati (1965) and Faton Rrahmani (1974) from Pleshina e Poshtme were
arrested by the police. After being ill-treated the two were duly released.
MITROVICA: Skënder Milazim Hajra (38), a retarded person living in the "Qendra" quarter,
was severely ill-treated by policeman Slavisha Damjanoviq. He was ill-treated under the
pretext of participating in the protests.
Naxhije Jahja Mripa (24), Mrikë Sheshivar Begu (25), Gëzim Talat Mustafa (24), students,
and Rexhep Jahja Mripa were physically ill-treated by a group of 10 policemen.
KAÇANIK: In the vicinity of the gas station in Kaçanik, Kadri Ilaz Luma from Glloboçica
was arrested by the police. He was sent to the police station, kept there for more than 3
hours and ill-treated. Due to injuries suffered he had to seek for medical help.
Gani Bedri Shehu and Nusret Behar Kuka (1965) were taken to the police station in
Kaçanik and were beaten-up by the police.
PEJA: Large police forces were stationed in the outskirts of the town.
Many passers-by are stopped, their identities are checked and they are ill-treated. Shaban
Rexhë Kelmendi from the village of Graboc near Peja was beaten-up by the police.
SUHAREKA: On his return from the protest walks, Haxhi Metush Bajselmani (1969) from
the village Reshan was beaten-up by the police until he fainted. For injuries suffered he
presented the doctors report.
GJILAN: 15 policemen ill-treated passers-by in front of the village school in Zhegra.
PRISHTINA: At the Hani i Elezit border-cross with Macedonia, Ilaz Bylykbashi, a photo-
reporter of the "Rilindja" daily, was stopped by the police and taken for informative talks.
Ilaz was interrogated regarding his photo exhibition on the Drenica massacre. The
exhibition was held in the national museum in Tirana.

APRIL 30:

GJAKOVA: After the peaceful protests, some Serbian policemen, started to provoke
protesters, whereas a car IG 309-48 ran over Labinot Gëzim Spahiu. He was sent for
hospitalization in Gjakova.
FERIZAJ: Hundreds of Serbs organized anti-Albanian demonstrations. They carried flags
and sang Chetnik songs. Police did not intervene.
MITROVICA: Thousands of Serbs organized anti-Albanian demonstrations.
Demonstrators carried offensive placards and threw stones damaging the shops of the
following: Ismet Plakolli, Adnan Boshnjaku, Armend Hasani, Nerkize Qatoviqi, Sherife
Skënderi, Neki Jolla, Kemal Zymi, Eroll Vitaku, Jonuz Hodaj, Pajazit Tahiri, Shaqir Asllani,
Aziz Ibrahimi and Latif Musaj.
PRISHTINA: In the vicinity of the green market, police arrested Arsim Krasniqi (24) and
took him to the police station. He was physically ill-treated and accused of being a member
of the KLA. Using a knife, policemen drew a cross on his chest.
Abedin Haziri (60), a pensioner, "Podujeva" st. was subjected to physical ill-treatment and
suffered injuries.
SUHAREKA: After fire shots in the village of Duhle, police beat-up some citizens, among
whom Ragip Qatani, secretary with the primary school in Duhle, and 2 passers-by from the
village of Grejkoc- Vahedin Lushaj (28) and Muhamet Kicaj (28).
The house of Bajrush Bujari and the shops of Salih Rrafshi, Hamdi Lumi, Naim Bllaca and
Aziz Telaku were damaged.
Police went into the house of Haki Bytyçi, under the pretext of searching for "terrorists".
In the vicinity of the police station in Suhareka, police stopped, arrested and
physically ill-treated the following repatriated asylum-seekers from Germany:
Ibrahim Shala (1977), "Dërvari" st. 163, and Lirim Berisha (1976), "Deçani" st. 51.
Ibrahim suffered injuries.
PRIZREN: At the city hospital in Prizren, police brought the body of Sasha Jovanoviq
(1972), a policemen from Hum near Nish, who was killed by fire weapons in Duhle near
Suhareka a day before.
MAlISHEVA: In the vicinity of the village of Gjurgjica, police stopped and severely ill-
treated Isuf, Agim and Ajet Gashi from Balinca under the pretext of co-operating with the
KLA.
VITI: Compulsory authorities at the "Kuvendi i Lezhes" Secondary School and the primary
schools in Vitia, Vërbovc and Zhitia, and police prevented Albanian teachers and pupils
from entering their schools as foreseen by the 3+3 Commission. The pretext was: "they
can neither create conditions for the normal course of lessons nor the security for pupils
and teachers".
DRAGASH: Halim Shemsedini, chairman of the LDK branch in Dragash, was taken for
informative talks on the current situation in Kosova, the activity of the LDK, etc. He was
ordered to report again after 2 weeks.

Prishtina, April 30, 1998          Information Service