REPORT NO. 426
         ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
         AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
           BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
           OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
           FROM  JULY 23
           UNTIL  JULY  26, 1998

REPORT NO. 426

ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED BY
THE SERBIAN POLICE AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM JULY 23 UNTIL JULY 26, 1998

JULY 23:

     RAHOVEC: According to some sources of information and to eye-witnesses who managed to flee Rahovec and to shelter in Malisheva, on July 20, the following were killed in Rahovec: Fatime Bugari (22), in the 8th-month of pregnancy, whose mother stated that "she was slaughtered"; Agim Kelmendi (22), Sahit Haxhihamza (71), Hazir Rexha (66), whose body was left on the road; Dritë Rexha (24), who was killed and buried in a vineyard; Zize Popaj (70) from the village of Bellacërka; Agim Binak Çela (37), Ferat Daka (58), Hatixhe Hundozi (38), Baki Shtavica (35), Xhafer Norska (29), Destan Sharku (36), Selami Tahirama (35), Bekim Bugari, Sadik Shala, Muharrem Kadiri, Mehmet Kadiri and Halit Hoxha. At Sheh Myhedini's house yard, Serbian police, military and paramilitary forces executed and afterwards burned the bodies of the following: Xhemajl Rama, brothers Qemajl and Faik Sylka, Eqrem Sylka, Nesim Sylka, Haxhi Sharku and Baki Shehu. The corpse of Dana Vuçitërna was found in his balcony. In the yard of Sheh Myhedini's masjid, the dead body of Hasan Kafexhiu and that of an unidentified elderly were seen.
     On July 22, during a religious ceremony in the yard of the Grand Masjid in Rahovec, Serbian snipers killed Sheh Mudedin Shehu. Prior to being killed, he was taken to the police station and ordered to expel hundreds of Albanians, who had taken shelter in the masjid.
     The following are still in detention: Nijazi Mullaaliu, Zenel Shehu, Qamil Kadiri and his son, Ali Merxha and his son. Among those detained are many wounded persons Musa Kadiri, Ilmie Kadiri and Mentor Kadiri, who were taken to the Prizreni Hospital. At the Surgery Ward of the very same hospital, Lumturije Bajram Lamini (1971) was hospitalized.
     PRIZREN: Serbian police and military forces stationed in Landovica shelled in different directions from 10.00 p.m. until midnight.
     The investigative judge of the Municipality Court in Prizren, Jovica Mitroviq, initiated the investigative proceedings for "terrorism" against the following Albanian citizens from the district of Rahovec: Vehbi Muharrem Muharremi from the village of Drenoc, Nusret Enver Hoti, Isak Hysen Hoti and Sokol Jalil Morina from the village of Ratkoc, Agim Rexhep Morina, Ramadan Xhemajli Morina, Rexhep Qerim Morina and Teki Xhemajl Morina from the village of Bellacërka.
     KLINA: Serbian forces shelled the village of Gremnik from 4.30 a.m. until 8 am. Lots of material damage was caused. From the check-point in Pogragja the following villages were shelled: Jashanica, Dush, Gjurgjevik i Madh and Siqeva. From the check-point in Kijeva near Malisheva the following villages in the districts of Klina and Malisheva were shelled: Cerovik, Zabërgjë, Rigjevë and Gllarevë and Bubavec, Ploçicë, Mleçan and Llozicë. Large police and military forces were stationed in the primary school in Dollc, in the "Nora" motel near Klina and in the village of Videja.
     DEÇAN: Serbian police and military forces are incessantly opening fire from all kinds of weapons towards the villages of Shaptej, Gramaçel, Baballoç, Carrabreg i Poshtëm, Isniq, Strellc i Epërm and Prejlep. Many houses were burned. Serb military forces stationed in Zagërma shelled Raushiqi i Ri. Hatmane Hamëz Malaj (60) from Strellc i Epërm was wounded.
     PEJA: The situation in Peja and its surroundings continues to be very tense. Police forces were stationed on a hill near the town. They are surveying all movement, thus, causing fear and insecurity.  In "Nexhdet Basha" st., two unidentified corpses were found. Police raided and demolished the offices of the Sub-CDHRF in Peja. Tahir Demaj, chairman, Nuradin Sadiku and Ibrahim Kelmendi, journalists, Ali Sylça, Muhamet Brahimi and Musa Berbati were physically ill-treated. Police raided many nearby houses as well as the office of dr. Neshad Asllani. The latter was threatened.
     PRISHTINA: Destan Rukiqi, a lawyer, member of the board of the CDHRF, was sentenced to 60 days of imprisonment and sent to serve his prison term. As Rukiqi was not allowed to examine the files on the case of his client, he accused Danica Marinkoviq, a judge, of playing the role of a policeman.
     In Vranidoll, Serb paramilitaries opened fire towards Mehmet Reçica, who was watering his yard.
     ISTOG: In Osojan, Nebojsha Gjuriq, a policeman, stopped the bus of the "Standard" building enterprise and brutally beat its driver Zenun Bajramaj from Istog. Zenun suffered severe injuries and had to be hospitalized in Peja.
     LIPJAN: Large police and military forces were stationed in Gllavica, in the building of the primary school in Magura and in the premises of the Goleshi Mine. Some 20 police and military vehicles were stationed there.
     SHTIME: At the place called "Hani i Mulla Ademit", Serbian police stopped Halit Mujota (30), Nazmi Mujota (25), Maliq Mujota (30), Nijazi Mujota (20) and Kadri Neziraj -all from Mullopolc. They were taken to the police station in Shtime. Later on, Nazmi and Nijazi were taken to Ferizaj, insulted, interrogated on the KLA and released.
     SUHAREKA: Police arrested Adem Hetem Kuçi and Ylber Rrahman Kuçi.
     PODUJEVA: In Kurshumlia, Serbian police arrested and seized 25 t of sugar from brothers Ramadan and Sami Zymeri -representatives of the "Agro Podujeva" enterprise. They were kept in detention for 24 hours and physically ill-treated.

JULY 24:

     GLLOGOC: Serbian police and military forces began a new attack on the Albanian villages in Drenica. Yesterday, during clashes, many houses were burned in the Jusufi and Lika quarters in Sankoc and the Hyseni quarter in Fushtica e Epërme. 8 tanks were used in the operation. The Albanian villagers of Fushtica e Epërme, Mirena and other nearby villages have fled their homes. In Çikatova e Re, the wife of Hajdin Dubovci was wounded in her house yard.
     RAHOVEC: There is no information on the whereabouts of Bejtullah Tara and 6 members of his family Septenja, Miranda, Valentina, Edona, Drenusha and Muharrem Tara. Similar is the case with the 8 member families of Hajrullah Tara (Bejtullah's brother) and Vahajdin Hajrullaga.
     PRIZREN: With the help of the International Red Cross, Lumturije Sharku (1975), her 4 year old son and Trëndafile Abdullahu (1967), who was wounded on her chest -all from Rahovec, were taken to the hospital in Prizren.
     Jugosllav Skënderi, the investigative judge of the Municipality Court in Prizren initiated the investigative proceedings against the following Albanians from Rahovec: Fadil Hazer Isma, Ramadan Xhafer Miftari, Zijadin Xhafer Miftari, Kadri Shyqeri Dërguti, imam, Xhevdet Beqir Dërguti, Nahit Dërguti, Beqir Osman Kollari, Mehdi Sulejman Kollari, Jusuf Sulejman Kollari, Behajdin Avdyl Kleqka, Eshref Avdyl Kleqka, Avdyl Beqir Kleqka, Bekim Vahid Rama, Haki Xhemajli Haxhimustafa, Arsim Behajdin Haska, Florim Shaban Haxhiimeri, Nijazi Sefer Dina, Fahredin Hamëz Dina, Driton Nuredin Tara, Adnan Ismajl Topalli, Sabit Nexhat Shehu, Bylbyl Shehu, Zekeri Shehu and two juveniles, Selman Gani Shtavica, Bashkim Maliq Hoxha, Valdet Xhafer Vuçitërna, Esat Rexhep Kasapi, Bekim Kasapi, Burim Halil Ejupi, Nijazi Mullaaliu, Veton Mullaaliu, Dëfrim Mullaaliu, Arben Shala, Mejdin Korenica, Bajram Merxha, Destan Nurshaba, Xhemajli Emin Hazeri, Selim Sharko, Halim Shatri, Zeqir Berisha and Lulzim Hajda.
6 policemen intervened in the flat of Islam Likaj in the "Lakuriqi" quarter in Prizren. Islam was arrested and so were the people sheltered in his flat Bajram Vuçitërna, Fadil Vuçitërna and Enver Rama. On being ill-treated in the premises of the Security Center in Ferizaj, they were released, but, ordered to report again on July 27. In Landovica, Serbian police arrested Alben Hysni Hoxha, a student from Dushanova. There is no information on the whereabouts of Jusuf Beqir Kajdomçaj from Lugishta near Has. He was arrested on July 21 in Krusha e Madhe.
Driton Kadiri, Jemin Hundozi and Musa Kadiri, who were wounded during clashes in Rahovec, are in the hospital in Prizren. The hospital is guarded by large police forces. Snipers are stationed within the rooms.
     PEJA: In Lubeniq, Serbian police killed Dervish Aliçkaj (78). There are claims that during the last few days 6 Albanians were killed, among whom, Hysen Ukë Komoni (17) from Bërzhenik and Hajdin Vrenezi (1954) from Qyshk. In the outskirts of Peja, two unidentified corpses were found. The Islamic Community in Peja was informed that 4 unidentified corpses are in the morgue of the Peja hospital.
     FERIZAJ: Serbian police and military forces shelled the village of Jezerc. A police convoy arrived in Nerodime e Epërme. Policemen and armed Serb civilians were stationed in strategic positions. About 100 policemen and armed civilians were stationed in Dremjak. Many were stationed in a farm in Rakaj.
     SUHAREKA: Serbian police and military forces stationed in Shiroka shelled the village of Peçan.
     PODUJEVA: 38 tanks, 20 military trucks, 17 armoured cars, many rocket launchers, APCs and about 700 soldiers of the Yugoslav Army were stationed in Llausha near Podujeva. 22 tanks, 12 armoured cars, 10 anti-aircraft vehicles, 10 trucks, 1 rocket launcher, 2 gas tanks were stationed in the vicinity of the primary school in Dumnica e Poshtme. The Albanian population of the Turiçica, Visoka, Salihu, Dudolli and Fazliu quarters are fleeing their houses.
     OBILIQ: During the last 2 days, Serbian police and military forces opened fire towards Hamidia and Lajthishta. A police helicopter flew over the villages in this district. In Hade, all houses were damaged, looted or destroyed. In Palaj, Serbian police looted and demolished the houses of Ibrahim Bullaku and Milaim Krasniqi.
     MITROVICA: There was a loud blast in the "Trepça Battery Plant". 4 civilians were taken to hospital. Different kinds of weaponry were stored in this plant. Barricades were set up around the building.
In the vicinity of the bus station, 2 policemen stopped, looted and beat Liridon Xheladin Ahmeti (14), living in the "Bair" quarter.
     KAMENICA: Large police forces can be noticed in the streets of Kamenica. Groups of policemen were stationed at the places called "Dheu i Bardhë" and "Qafa e Kopërnicës".
     PRISHTINA: CDHRF received the list of the passengers, who were travelling from Lubjana to Prizren with the bus of the "Fati Tours" Travel Agency. 54 passengers were in the bus. They were stopped in the outskirts of Podujeva and all money was taken from them. Most of the passengers are from the districts of Suhareka, Rahovec and Malisheva. Apart from Fatmir Sopaj, owner of the agency, and Idriz Bylykbashi, bus driver, the following were detained: Xhavit Kaçaniku (1942) from Prizren, Naser Rexhepi, Avdi Rama, Zef Smakiqi, Rrahman Krasniqi, Qazim Krasniqi, Azem Krasniqi, Imer Krasniqi, Liman Sylaj, Nazmi Bytyçi, Sami Bytyçi, Sinan Bytyçi, Blerim Kolgeci, Ali Morina, Fehmi Avdyli, Rrahman Adili, Ali Gashi, Mersel Imeri, Ismet Javori, Esat Shabani, Burim Bllaca, Jemin Suka, Rexhep Fazliu, Shemsi Fazliu, Naim Bala, Nuhi Beka, Enver Zogaj, Feriz Zabeli, Sedat Kuçi, Halit Ndrecaj, Rrahman Aliu, Xhevdet Aliu, Haxhi Tica, Hajriz, Samadraxha, Ismajl Batalli, Naser Osmani, Fazli Jashari and ? Krasniqi.
     TETOVA: According to Murteza Shaqiri from Tetova, on July 15, Macedonian police arrested Taip Behram Behrami (1969) from Damanek near Gllogoc and Besim Ismet Januzi (1979) from Likoc near Skënderaj, seasonal workers. They were kept in the police station until July 17. Later on, they were taken to the police station in Shkup and to the border with Yugoslavia. Eversince there are no information on their whereabouts.

JULY 25:

     GLLOGOC: In the early hours of the morning, large reinforcements arrived in the military base in the "Ferronikli" Plant in Gllogoc. These forces shelled the villages of Vukovc, Komoran, Sankoc, Abri, Vilak and Poterk, as well as the Gashi and Sopi quarters in Lajthishta. Several houses were burned. Serbian forces stationed in Zllakuqan shelled towards the Llapushniku Gorge. Several house were burned in Vukovc.
     SKëNDERAJ: Fresh police and military reinforcements were brought to Skënderaj. In the early hours of the morning a fierce attack began on Klina e Poshtme, Klina e Mesme and Klina e Epërme.
Now, these villages are in flames. Police and military forces were accompanied by armed Serb civilians. Llausha was shelled. There  were fierce clashes in the Runiku region.
     PEJA: Brothers Bakir (31) and Adem Muhamet Gjukaj (27), auto mechanics from Peja, who were killed by the Serbian police on July 23, were buried in Peja. The very same day, an unidentified Albanian was buried by the police order. All roads to Peja were blocked, whereas movement of people is very limited due to ill-treatment by the Serbian police.
     PRIZREN: Sejsan Skënder Hoti (20) was found dead. A military convoy comprised of 35 trucks with soldiers and other motorized vehicles went towards Gjakova.
     DEÇAN: During the last 2 days, fierce clashes are going on in many villages in the district of Deçan. Serbian police and military forces shelled with heavy artillery the villages of Shaptej and Gramaçel. Due to this attack, some houses and the Health Care Center in Gramaçel were damaged. Serbian forces tried to go into the Kallavaj quarter in Junik, but had to withdraw due to fierce resistance by Albanian forces. There were severe clashes in the villages of Klina bordering with the villages of Lugu i Baranit.
     SUHAREKA: Serbian police and military forces stationed in Qafa e Duhlës shelled the villages of Bllaca, Grejçevc, Javori, Luzhnica and Duhla.
     OBILIQ: During the last 2 days, Serbian police and military forces stationed in the villages of Plemetin, Janovoda and the "Kosova B" Power Plant, opened fire towards Hada, Hamidia and Lajthishta.
     FERIZAJ: Serbian police and military forces shelled the village of Jezerc. A helicopter flew over the village. Police forces and armed Serb civilians, who were stationed in the villages of Kashtanjeva and Viça and in the Matosha quarter of Bitia e Poshtme, are threatening and ill-treating Albanian passers-by, even children. Villagers are prevented from working on their fields. Police arrested Avni Kokollari (1976) from the village of Budakova. In Ferizaj, police stopped Ramadan Emini (1957) from the village of Belinca. He was taken to the Security Centre in Ferizaj, interrogated and beaten.
     HANI I ELEZIT: At the border cross with Macedonia, Sefedin Suma (34), was arrested, taken to the local police station of Hani i Elezit, physically ill-treated and interrogated about Rufki Suma, chairman of the CDHRF sub-council in Hani i Elezit. Sefedin was ordered to report again.
     GJILAN: During the last few days, the number of Serbian policemen and military troops has increased in different parts of the town. After the Serbian embargo on Kosova, Serbian police is checking and looting all Albanian merchants who bring goods, especially food to Kosova.
     MITROVICA: Two military officers and 4 soldiers gathered all the inhabitants of the "Bair" quarter and threatened them. They threatened to level to the ground all the houses if a single shot was fired on them. The pretext was a shot which was fired last night in the vicinity of the military barracks.
     PRISHTINA: In "Robert Gajdiku" st., police arrested the following activists of the Emergency Council: Gani Sopi (1963), a jurist, Hazer Borovci, Isa Kastrati from Matiçan and Sabit Mushica from Sofalia. Qerim Durmishi (1954) from Rakinica near Skënderaj, an engineer with the open pit coal mine in Bardhi i Madh, living in "Bregu i Diellit" quarter in Prishtina, was stopped by the police, taken to the police station in Fushë Kosova, ill-treated, threatened and insulted on a national basis. He suffered body injuries.

JULY 26:

     PRISHTINA: Serbian police and military forces continued their attack on the villages along the road Klinë-Kijevë, Mitrovicë-Pejë and Shtime-Suharekë. There were fierce clashes in the Llapushniku Gorge. In Klina e Poshtme near Skënderaj, Habibe Maliqi and Hajrullah Çun Rexhepi were killed. 5 villagers were wounded. In Radisheva, brothers Musa and Isa Ahmeti were wounded. Sami Nurkasa, Xhevat Kasapi and Gëzim Mullabazi were buried in Malisheva. Habib Berisha (34) was buried in Gurbardh. All 4 were killed during clashes with Serbian police and military forces.
     SKëNDERAJ and GLLOGOC: Since 3 a.m., Drenica is in war again. There are fierce clashes in the Llapushniku Gorge. Serbian military forces are firing rockets from their base in Golesh. Serbian police and military forces are shelling the villages of Klina e Poshtme, Klina e Mesme, Klina e Epërme, Runik, Llapushnik, Shtrubullovë and Çikatova e Re. There were killed and wounded and burned houses. In Klina e Mesme, Sali Duraku (1944) was beaten and killed. Sahet Hetemi (1975), Hajrullah Rexhepi (1939), Sadik Kadriu (1942) and Hajrullah Rexhepi (1942) were wounded. In the Runiku region Halil Abazi (1978) from Kllodernica and Isa Ahmeti (1975) from Radisheva were wounded.
     KLINA: Since 4 a.m., Serbian police and military forces continue their attack with tanks and heavy artillery. The following villages were shelled: Cerovik, Kërrnica, Jashanica, Pogragja, Gjurgjevik i Madh, Gjurgjevik i Vogël, Dush, Gremnik, Dobërdol, Zabërgja, Gllareva, Rigjeva and Stapanica. Shpresa Bashota (1978), who was in the seventh month of pregnancy, her father-in-law Azem Daut Bashota (55) and his wife Zelfije Bashota (50) were killed. Shpresa's husband, Ali Bashota (1978) was wounded. All four were from Cerovik. The following were wounded: Shkëlzen Berisha (1973) from Gjurgjevik i Madh, Bali Bujupi (1978) from Dobërdol, Fortesa Gashi (1990) from Çabiq, Artifete Gashi (1989) from Mleçan, Sokol Gashi (1945) from Çabiq, Emine Gashi (1990) from Çabiq, Puhije Gashi (1993) from Çabiq, and Hajdin Morina (1952) from Gllareva. In the district of Gllogoc, Ismet Thaçi (1970) from Llapushnik, Skënder Halilaj (1969) from Tërdec and the wife of Hajdin Dubofci were wounded. It is believed that many were killed and wounded and many houses were burned and destroyed.
In Klina, police stopped and physically ill-treated Jakup Dushi, a taxi driver. His "Mercedes" was seized.
     SUHAREKA: Since Monday, Serbian police and military forces are shelling the villages of Reshtan, Peçan, Sllapuzhan, Studençan, Dobërdelan, Samadrexha, Duhël, Bllaca, Grejçec and Luzhnica. The situation in Suhareka is very grave. On July 23, police arrested Agim Aziz Lumi. Eversince there are no information on his whereabouts.
     DEÇAN: There were fierce clashes in all the regions affected with war in the district of Deçan. Since 4.45 a.m., Serbian police and military forces are shelling the villages of Junik, Voksh, Carrabreg i Poshtëm, Prejlep and Baballoç. Serbian refugees from Albania, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina participate in these attacks. Hajdar Rrustë Gjoci (70) was killed in Baballoç. In Carrabreg i Epërm, Rrustem Brahim Lataj and his son were reported missing. There are no information on the whereabouts of Florim Ahmet Zukaj (24) and Driton Islam Zukaj (22) from the village of Beleg near Deçan. Both were arrested in Peja on July 21. Similar is the case with Selim Haxhi Molliqaj (21) from Lluka e Epërme, who was reported missing 3 months ago.
     FERIZAJ: 4 APCs an armoured car and a jeep with soldiers were stationed between Shtime and Koshare. They opened fire towards Mollopolc and Gllavica. Osman Guri (65) from Gllavica was wounded while grazing his cattle. Policemen are provoking Albanian children and threatening them with fire weapons. Policemen prevented the villagers of Kishnapole and Sllakoc from going to the market in Tankosiq.
     SHTIME: Since 3 a.m., Serbian police and military forces are shelling the following villages in the district of Shtime: Carraleva, Pjetërshtica, Zborc, Belinca and Petrova. Nusret Rexhep Avdiu (25) from Belinca was killed. There were many killed and ill-treated. Serb paramilitaries are looting Albanian houses. They are burning agricultural crops.
     KAÇANIK: At the check-point in Doganaj, police stopped the bus travelling from Gjakova to Ferizaj. 30 youngsters were taken out of the bus and severely ill-treated.
     GJILAN: The situation is very tense in Gjilan and its surroundings. In the outskirts of Gjilan, police severely ill-treated Mustafë Ahmeti (1958) from Kravarica. In the outskirts of Prishtina, police ill-treated Shaban Terziu from Gjilan.

DELAYED INFORMATION:

     MITROVICA: On July 17, police stopped and brutally beat Bashkim Ismet Nimani (33) from Reka. Police also beat Bashkim's wife Fatime (24), his mother Elheme (56) and their son Labinot (3) as they tried to help him. On July 21, police prevented Esat Ademi (45) from Stantërg from taking some clothes in his house. All Albanians had fled from this village during clashes between Serbian forces and the KLA. On July 22, Serbian police in Stantërg broke many Albanian shops. In the shop owned by Remzi Sokol Osmani (36) they looted goods estimated to DM 10.000. They damaged furniture, broke doors and windows.
     KLINA: On July 20, 4 Serbian policemen looted the shop owned by Avni Godanci in the vicinity of the police station in Klina.
     PODUJEVA: On July 20, the policemen who were escorting the train travelling from Podujevë to Fushë Kosova and Luzhan opened fire towards children who were playing on a field.
     FERIZAJ: On July 21, Serbian forces stationed in Nerodime e Epërme kidnapped Bajram Hamdi Bajrami (21) and Bujar Ibush Bajrami (20). On July 22, Serbian police stopped Maliq Haliti, Mustafë Haliti, Rrahim Haliti, Sabri Jaha, Gani Abazi, Sylejman Veliu and Rexhep Behluli from Dremjak, LDK activist. They were taken to the Security Center in Ferizaj. Rexhep was interrogated on his political activities, the LDK, KLA, the Assembly, etc.

Prishtina, July 26, 1998                Information Service