REPORT NO. 430
         ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
         AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
           BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
           OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
           FROM  AUGUST 9
           UNTIL  AUGUST 13, 1998

REPORT NO.430

ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED BY
THE SERBIAN POLICE AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM AUGUST 9, UNTIL AUGUST 13, 1998

     The recent offensive of Serbian police and military forces in Drenica and Dukagjini Plain is threatening the lives of more than 100.000 women, children and elderly, who had to flee their houses and seek shelter in the villages, which are now being attacked, or are in the open surrounded by Serbian forces.
     The number of the killed and wounded is getting higher, especially among women, children and elderly.
     - August 9: The carbonized corpse of Zeqë Bajram Gashi (86) was found in Llapushnik. Mevlude Gecaj and another woman of the Taraku family from Vitak were killed in Llausha near Skënderaj. Selim Rexhepi (55), who was wounded due to shelling, died and was buried in Petrova near Shtime.
     - August 10: The following were killed in Hereç near Gjakova:
Musë Bajrami (80), Asllan Bajrami (19), Dinë Rexhepi (63), Metë Dervishi (80) and Haxhi Tahiri. Arsim Liman Hysenaj (15) and Mejreme Liman Hysenaj (2) were killed during the shelling of Petrova. The corpse of Feriz Ramiz Selimi (44), father of eight, was found in the forests of Radisheva near Skënderaj. Donjeta Beqiri (1) from Turiqec near Skënderaj died and was buried in Brusnik near Vushtrri. Xhemajli Muharrem Kryeziu (1963) was found dead in the hall of his house in Suhareka. Xheladin Miftar Kurtaj (1974), a student, and two other Albanians were killed during clashes with the Serbian forces in Gabrrica near Kaçanik.
     - August 11: The corpse of an Albanian killed at Llapushniku Gorge was brought at the morgue of Prishtina hospital. The corpse of an unidentified Albanian was found in the yard of Avdi Syla in Turiqec. The corpses of a man of about 50, a boy and two girls are in the morgue of the Peja hospital.
     - August 12: Zade (13) and Elmije Zeneli (10) were killed during the shelling of Mirena near Lipjan. The following were killed in Shaptej near Deçan: Nexhat Humaj, Xheladin Mushkolaj, Naim Nimanaj, Gëzim Dervishaj, Orhan Halilaj and an unidentified Albanian - from Gllogjan, Maxhun Mujë Çekaj from Irzniq, as well as several other Albanians. The corpses of 6 unidentified Albanians were buried by police order in the cemetery in Gjakova. One Albanian was killed and one was wounded in Gorozhub near Prizren on the border with Albania. Due to difficult living conditions in the open, the newly-born babies of Muharrem Sopaj from Jançiç and Isuf Krasniqi from Drenoc and a pregnant woman from Malisheva died.

THE COURSE OF EVENTS:

AUGUST 9:

GLLOGOC: The carbonized corpse of Zeqë Bajram Gashi (86) was found in Llapushnik. It is supposed that the corpse has lied unburied in front of his house for the last 13 days, eversince the attack of the Serbian police and military forces on the Llapushniku Gorge.
Serbian forces stationed in Çuka e Zabelit shelled Nekoc, Sukoc and Fushtica. In Vërboc, 5600 Albanians are living in the open, whereas another 4000 were settled in 150 houses in this village. The displaced people have received no aid from humanitarian organizations.
DEÇAN: From 9.30 a.m. until 8 p.m., an attack was launched on Deçan, Carrabreg i Poshtëm, Prejlep, Lluka e Epërme, Rastavica, Beleg, Shaptej, Gramaçel, Junik, Gllogjan, Irzniq and Kodrali. Different kinds of weapons were used including "Kaqusha" missiles. Serbian police and military forces tried to overrun these villages, but due to the fierce resistance of the KLA and local villagers were forced to withdraw. During the clashes, one Albanian was killed and several were wounded.
VUSHTRRI: Serbian paramilitaries from the villages of Prilluzha and Plemetin opened fire towards the Albanian villages of Gllavotin, Bivolak, Strovc and Bequk. In Stanoc i Poshtëm, they burned the haystack of Gani Duraku.
MITROVICA: Veli (63), Muharrem (65), Sheremet (64) and Hasime Geci (65) stated to the Sub-CDHRF in Mitrovica that 400 women, children and elderly are stuck in Llausha, with no food and water. Mevlude Gecaj and another woman of the Taraku family from Vitak were killed.
Brothers Emin (49), Esat (42) and Ekrem Halim Barani (38) and Fatmir Xhevat Shabani (19) from "Kodra e Minatorëve" quarter and Faruk Xhafer Ahmeti (28), living in the "Ibri" quarter were stopped and beaten by the police. In the "Qendra" quarter, police raided the house Ali Tahir Osmani (64) and searched for his son Bujar (35). Endrit Sahit Barani (7) was wounded in his veranda by a stray bullet.

AUGUST 10:

DEÇAN and GJAKOVA: Serbian police, military and paramilitary forces launched an attack on Gllogjan. Fighting continues on the border with Albania, in Junik and Dushkaja. Serb forces are using heavy artillery and "Kaqusha" missiles. There were clashes in Dujaka, Plançor and Hereç. Musa Bajrami (80), Asllan Bajrami (19), Dinë Rexhepi (63), Metë Dervishi (80) and Haxhi Tahiri were killed in Hereç. Many others were wounded. The following were arrested:
Muhamet Zenunaj, Shaban Fetaj and Myrtë Shabanaj from Hereç, Sali Maloku and Ukë Maloku from Gramaçel and Pjetër Krasniqi (66) from Meqe. 15.000 inhabitants are in the open, between the villages of Skivjan and Novosella. Groups of displaced people, regardless of the police check-points, are managing to enter into Gjakova.
SKëNDERAJ: The corpse of Feriz Ramiz Selimi (44) from Radisheva, father of 8, was found in the forests of Radisheva, at the place called Pikavica.
VUSHTRRI: Donjeta Beqiri (1) from Turiqec died and was buried in Brusnik near Vushtrria. Due to Serb attack, her family was forced to stay in the open for 7 days, with no food and potable water.
SUHAREKA: Xhemajli Muharrem Kryeziu (1963) was found dead in the hall of his house in Suhareka. He was shot by a sniper.
SHTIME: Serbian police and military forces shelled Petrova. Arsim (15) and Mejreme Liman Hysenaj (2) were killed. The following were severely wounded: Nexhmije Hysenaj (44) and Shëndrit Hysenaj (3) from Petrova, Bujar Behlul Beqaj (15) from Carraleva, Fatmir Duga (16) and Abedin Beqaj (12) from Shtime and Halit Luma (13) from Kraishta. Fatmir was taken to the Prishtina hospital in a deteriorated health condition. Selim Rexhepi (55), who was wounded due to shelling, died and was buried in Petrova near Shtime.
KAÇANIK: Serbian police forces surrounded parts of the Duraj and Gabrica villages. In Gabrica, the house of Danush Miftar Kurtaj was attacked. 3 Albanians were killed during clashes with the Serbian forces. Among the killed is Xheladin Miftar Kurtaj (1974), a student of the Academy of Arts. The corpses were handed to the representatives of the Islamic Community. After the clashes, police arrested Danush Miftar Kurtaj (1961), his wife Belgjyzare (1971), his sister-in-law Havushe (1963) and their relative Fatmir Feriz Kurtaj (1962), a teacher with the "Ali Asllani" Primary School in Doganaj. Police arrested M.S. Tefik Bafti Raka (1939) from Bob and his son Agron (1971), a student, Mehdi Hajrush Dalloshi (1944), a professor of Albanian language, Avdyl Merxhan Luma (1961) from Glloboçica, a member of the board of the LDK branch in Kaçanik and Hasan Dalloshi from Soponica.
OBILIQ: Serbian forces continue to fire towards Shipitulla, Grabovc i Poshtëm and Grabovc i Epërm. 200 displaced people from the Drenica region were sheltered in these villages.
MITROVICA: Police stopped and physically ill-treated Zenë Sokol Abazi (32), Enver Murat Peci (48), Shefki Beqiri (23) from Kçiq, Osman Mehë Osmani (22) and Fahri Musli Dibrani (19) from Vërrnica. Police stopped and prevented Xhil O'Nil and Fil Edvards from visiting the families of the miners dismissed from work. They were told to return to Prishtina. In the "Tjegullorja" quarter, police beat Fatmir Shefki Aliu (27) and Enis Nezir Hoti (7). Many children were injured while fleeing.
KLINA: Police broke into the flat of Kolë Mark Berisha, vice- chairman of the LDK branch. A Serb family was settled in it.
FERIZAJ: In the outskirts of Ferizaj, police arrested 8 passengers from the district of Lipjan.
PRISHTINA: In a statement given to the CDHRF in Prishtina, Isme Humolli (1969), a physician living in "Aca Mrdakoviq" st. 27, declared that Isak Krasniqi (40), a writer from Prishtina, is missing since July 27. On July 31, Çaush Ahmeti (1945), a worker from the village of Sheremet near Gjakova, was arrested in the forests of Hereç. Eversince, there are no information on him. Isuf Dedinca (1940), a worker with the "Kosova" GE in Obiliq, stated that the corpse of his brother Ajet Dedinca, who was killed by the Serbian police on June 29, was not handed to the family.

AUGUST 11:

DEÇAN: A military convoy of 110 vehicles and 36 tanks left Peja and headed for the villages of Carrabreg, Prejlep and Gramaçel. The villages of Baballoç, Dubrava, Lluka e Epërme, Shaptej, Gllogjan and Isniq were targeted. Thousands of villagers, mainly women, children and elderly, are living in the open, under the iron siege of the Serbian forces. More than 80.000 displaced persons from the districts of Deçan, Gjakova, Peja and Malisheva were sheltered in Irzniq, Prapaqan and Strellc i Poshtëm.
GJAKOVA: 5 unidentified corpses were brought to the morgue of the Gjakova hospital. Large police and military forces are attacking the villages in the district of Gjakova. The villages of Hereç and Plançor were burned whereas, Firaja and Dobrigja are shelled.
On August 9, Hysen Malë Arifi, a teacher with the primary school in Sheremetaj, died. The very same day Mark Sokoli died in Nec. Both were wounded by the Serbian forces.
SKëNDERAJ: Avdi Syla from Turiçec stated to the Sub-Council in Mitrovica that an unidentified corpse is in his yard. The corpse of Feriz Ramiz Selimi (44), a father of 8, was found in the forests of Radisheva.
PRISHTINA: For three weeks now, there is an unidentified corpse in the morgue of the Prishtina hospital. The victim was killed during the last offensive of the Serbian forces on the Llapushniku Gorge.  At 2.15 a.m., a Serb opened automatic fire on the "Dardania" bakery, owned by Muhamet Berisha (1964). He broke the windows of the bakery, tied the workers, took them to the railway tracks and physically ill-treated them. 1800 DM were looted from them.
PEJA: 4 unidentified corpses (2 girls) are in the morgue of the Peja hospital. The district attorney initiated the investigative proceedings against Dervish Beqir Gacaferri (25) from Junik, Çaush Haxhë Ahmeti (53) from Sheremet, Gani Musa Rexhepaj (19) from Hereç, Adem Idriz Jasiqi (46) and Arsim Metë Jasiqi (22) from Jasiq. All were accused for "terrorism". The situation in the "Dardania" I-II quarters is alarming. More than 12.000 people were expelled from their homes. These quarters are regularly plundered. Armed Serbs have set up barricades and are preventing Albanians from returning to their homes.
At the district court in Peja, the following were indicted for "terrorism": Muhamet (42) and Sylë Beqaj (55) from Racaj, Ali Hamza from Pacaj and Kolë (19) and Gjergj Pepaj (31) from Ramoc.
RAHOVEC: Since July 20, there is no information on the whereabouts of Samir Ibrahim Shehu (1970) from Rahovec. It is believed that he was arrested or killed during the offensive of the Serbian police and military forces on Rahovec.
KLINA: According to our field associates, after the offensive of the Serbian police and military forces on the districts of Klina and Malisheva, many have fled their houses. Yet, a large number of people, mainly the elderly, did not manage to flee. Since July 25, there are no information on the whereabouts of 38 Albanians from the village of Dobërdol, who were taken hostage. Similar is the case with Mark Pjetër Berisha (60) from Dobërdol, Naile Raci (60) from Siqeva, her daughter Cyme Raci (40), deaf-mute, her mother Have Hasanaj (90) from Gllareva and her sister Zize Hoti (60) from Shtupel. According to information which could not be confirmed, they were taken out of their house and fire was set to it. There are no information on Xhevdet Haxhaj, Bajram Ali Kryeziu (72) and Hajdin Demush Kryeziu. On July 25, they were taken hostage and sent to Kijeva or the primary school in Bubavec.
SUHAREKA: At 3 p.m., Serbian police and military forces stationed in Qafa e Duhles and Biraq started shelling Budakova and Maçiteva. There was shooting towards the villages of Peçan and Sllapuzhan.
PRIZREN: Jovica Mitroviq, the presiding judge with the Serbian run District Court in Prizren, postponed the trial of 8 Albanian students, which was to start today. The trial is now to be held on August 20.

AUGUST 12:

DEÇAN: It is the fourth day of the Serbian offensive against the villages in the districts of Deçan and Gjakova. 250 military vehicles were engaged in this action. Many villages are under attack: Junik, Gllogjan, Gramaçel, Baballoç, Shaptej, Dubrava, Lluka e Epërme, Irzniq, Prejlep, Carrabreg i Poshtëm, Beleg, Kodrali and Pozhar. The following were killed: Nexhat Humaj, Xheladin Mushkolaj and an unidentified person from Shaptej; Naim M. Nimanaj, Gëzim Dervishaj and Orhan Halilaj from Gllogjan; and Maxhun Mujë Çekaj from Irzniq. Many were wounded: Bashkim Aliaj, Arian Malaj, Yll Morina, Elan Çeraxhiu, Jonuz Kastrati, Ali Sylaj, Muhamet Haskaj, Fatos Salihaj, Jashar Zogaj, Haxhi Mustafaj, Ismet Haskaj, Driton Haskaj, Vaze Lokaj, Hajdar Demhasaj, Sami Lokaj, Jashar Zogaj, Idriz Rexhaj, Isuf Haskaj, Leonard Aliaj, Bekim Vishaj, Xhevat Zenuni, Shahe Bajramaj, Zade Bajramaj, Isuf Aliaj, Ismet Aliaj, Jeton Halilaj, Burhan Halilaj, Hajdar Demhasaj, Jeton Lushaj, Afërdita Hajdaraj, Arben Hajdaraj, Driton Mustafaj, Gani Ukaj, Luan Qerimaj, Astrit Mehmetaj, Zenun Mataj, Lulzim Mataj, Ismet Neziraj, Gani Beqaj, Nezir Lushaj and Demë Rama.
GJAKOVA: 6 unidentified corpses were buried by police order. Thousands of women, children and elderly, who had fled from the attacked villages, are in the open, between the villages of Skivjan, Novosella and Dujaka.
MALISHEVA: Due to the difficult living conditions in the open, 2 babies, that of Muharrem Sopaj from Jançiç and Isuf Krasniqi from Drenoc and a pregnant woman died.
LIPJAN: Serbian forces stationed in Golesh shelled the village of Mirena. Elmije (10) and Zade Zeneli (13) were killed. Xhejlane Zeneli (4), Miradije Zeneli, Naim Zeneli (20), Selvete Zeneli (22), Lumturije Zeneli (25) and Cuf Zeneli (55) were wounded.
SUHAREKA: Serbian forces shelled Budakova and Maçiteva.
GLLOGOC: Serbian police and military forces, which are stationed in the vicinity of the TV transmitter in Golesh, shelled with heavy artillery the villages of Mirena (Lipjan) and Fushtica e Epërme (Gllogoc). Many houses were burned and destroyed. 20.000 people are living in the open.
PRIZREN: The burning of the Pashtriku forests continues. Smoke and fire could be noticed from many parts of the town. Despite the fact that the fire is spreading, nothing was done to extinguish it. In Gorozhub, on the border with Albania, one Albanian was killed and one was wounded.
MITROVICA: Some 60 policemen blocked the main road. Many were beaten, arrested and insulted. Many shop windows were broken and many shops were plundered. Shemsi Behlul Ferizi (35) from Qabra was wounded. The following are some of those who were arrested and physically ill-treated by the police: Akif Mehmet Zeqiri (38), Behxhet Vesel Abdullahu (47), a teacher, Beqir Muharrem Sahiti (36), Tafil (41) and Aziz Sejdi Salihu, Fadil Xheladin Veseli (31), Ismet Beka (54), Kemal Greci (43), Naim Deva (41), Avni Zasella (27), Ujkan (36) and Abedin Hetem Asllani (40), Nexhmedin Rexha (43), Ramiz Beqir Beqiri (35), Bekim Bajrami, Bashkim Hasani (40), Muhamet Zeka (51), Milazim Rizah Zeqiri (35), Fatmir Fejzullah Hajrizi (30), Bekim Kemajl Bajrami (27), Bekim Zejnullah Isufi (18), Avni Ahmet Muharremi (31), Hasan Sali Deliu (47), Hetem Alush Gashi (47), Hetem Ali Geci (31), dr. Ahmet Ademi (37), Abedin Murtez Brahimi (31), Sadri Halil Gjeloshi (32), Hamit Hysen Zymeraj (24), Gani Hamzë Hasani (43), Ali Shaban Maloku (48), Nebih Shaban Maloku (45), Ruzhdi Avdi Maloku (20), Sheremet Ramadan Maloku (20), Sadri Hysen Maloku (24), Fehmi Hysen Maloku (22), Raif Feriz Munishi (22), Nezir Raif Munishi (19), Ismet Aziz Munishi (29), Xhevdet Aziz Munishi (26), Gëzim Lah Tahiri (19), Muhamet Tahiri (50), Rexhep Ferizi (40), Sadri Salihu (50), Ismet Hasani (54), Naim Jashari (19), Driton Bajram Aliu (18), Qerim Mursel Veseli (28), Qamil Adem Musa (20), Armend Hakif Kajtazi (18), Xhafer Bejtë Preteni (46), Ujkan Salihu (43), Hasan Bajram Halimi (52), Fadil Bajram Ujkani (38), Lutfi Qazim Spahiu (33), Xajë Shefqet Rexha (33), Behxhet Muharrem Sahiti (38), Blerim Bajram Sahiti (20), Mustafë Rexhep Sahiti (28), Fazli Halim Jashari (27), Bedri Avdi Maliqi (34), Bekim Brahim Rushiti (25), Bedri Beshir Voca (35), Fatmir Fejzë Hajrizaj (30), Sheremet Fadil Hasani (35) from Cerovik. Aziz Misini (52) and Skënder Sadiku (36), teachers, Hysen Hasani (42), principal with the Technical School, Bahri Isufi, owner of the "Gërmova" restaurant and Abit Avdiu (40), owner of the "Lisi" tea shop, were arrested by the police. In the vicinity of the bus station police stopped and arrested Mehmet Ukë Ukaj (16), Fadil Avdyl Hasani (35) and Nexhmedin Kamer Ukaj (17). All three were taken to the police station and brutally beaten for more than 3 hours. Agim Hajrizi (36) was provoked by Llazar Gligorovski (40), a worker in the Mitrovica hospital. The latter opened machine gun fire towards Agim's house in the "Qendra" quarter.
KLINA: According to information from our Sub-Council in Vushtrria, since August 10, many families from the Bakaj quarter in Shtupel are under the iron siege of Serbian military and paramilitary forces. The families of the following are stuck in a forest near the village of Turiçec (Skënderaj): Arif Arifaj and (16 members of his family), Sabit Qellapeku (12) and Nasuf Qellapeku (10).
FUSHë KOSOVA: Police demolished the premises of the "Zenel Salihu" Primary School in Lismir. Wheat fields were burned in Bardhi i Madh and its surroundings.
PEJA: 30 Albanian prisoners were transferred from Peja to other prisons in Serbia. Halit Ismail Gashi from Ozdrim was summoned for informative talks to the local police station. He was ordered to tell his fellow villagers to hand in their weapons within 3 days. Aziz Shaban Pushka (75) from Peja, a retired khoja, was taken to the Security Center and beaten for 24 hours. He suffered body injuries.
RAHOVEC: Police plundered jewelry estimated to tens of thousands of DM from Shani Dërguti, a goldsmith. Serbian police plundered and burned 96 houses in Bellacërka and 14 houses in Xërxa.
VITI: The school documentation and DM 2950 were seized from Metush Metushi (1951), the principal with the "Vëllezërit Gërvalla" Primary School in Lubishta. He was ordered to report to the police station.

AUGUST 13:

PRIZREN: The Pashtriku forest is on fire. The inhabitants of Has cannot extinguish the fire due to the presence of large military forces on the border with Albania. 15.100 displaced persons were settled in the district of Prizren.
Police arrested Jeton Krasniqi (40) and Adem Berisha (37) from Buqa e Opojës. They were taken and are still being kept at the police station in Prizren. Ajni Sylejmani from the village of Blaq near Opoja is kept in detention at the Security Center in Prizren. He was arrested on August 7.
MALISHEVA: The situation in Malisheva threatens to turn into a humanitarian catastrophe. Serbian forces are burning the wheat fields.
PRISHTINA: The following persons were reported missing: Selman Selmani (60) and his son Agim (23) from Carraleva (Shtime); the 10 member family of Sylë Shala from Çikatova e Re (Gllogoc); Afrim Sadri Gashi (21) from Kryshec (Skënderaj); Sadri Tafë Geci, Samir Rrahim Geci and Mustafë Hazir Geci from Llausha (Skënderaj); Sefer Gashi (42), Gjylferie Gashi (24), Hyrë Gashi and Selman Gashi with his wife - all from Jashanica (Klinë); Kujtim Bashota, Artan Bashota and Avni Bashota from Cerovik (Klinë); Abdullah Duraku, his sister-in-law and her 3 children from Buroja (Skënderaj); Zeqir Tahiraj (70) from Shtarica; Bajram Shala from Ujmir (Klinë) and Feriz Bislimi and Ramadan Tahiri from Radisheva (Skënderaj).
PEJA: On August 12, special police units in Rozhaja stopped the bus of the "Exim Turist" Travel Agency. On ill-treating the passengers for 3 hours they forced them to turn back to Peja. The passengers, mainly women and children, were taken to the Security Center in Peja and interrogated. There are still no information whether they were released. For the last 4 days, the towns of Peja, Deçan, Istog and Klina have no electric power. On August 4, Ibrahim Rexhep Berisha from Llabjan was arrested. Eversince, he is detained at the Security Center in Peja.
PODUJEVA: A police patrol went to the houses of Sadri and Faik Tovërlani. They were left summons to report to the police station.

DELAYED INFORMATION:

PRIZREN: On July 27, Jovica Mitroviq, the investigative judge with the Serbian run District Court in Prizren, ordered the pre-trial detention of Adil Kollari (1968) from Rahovec and Tahir Adem Ibrahimaj (1977) from Llapçeva near Rahovec. Both were accused for "subversive activity".
LIPJAN: On July 31, police arrested Nebih Bytyçi (37), Gëzim Bytyçi (16) and Rahime Krasniqi from Carralluka near Malisheva. The above mentioned and their families were fleeing the village. On being brutally tortured Rahimja was released from the police station. She suffered trauma. There are still no information on the whereabouts of Nebih and Gëzim Bytyçi.
PODUJEVA: On August 2, in the vicinity of the "Dora" restaurant in Prishtina, 3 policemen physically ill-treated Afrore Fusha from Podujeva. She was accused of being a member of the KLA. On August 5, the deputy commander of the police station in Podujeva hit Salih Murtezi from Dumnica with his APC. On August 6, Serbian civilians opened fire in the center of Podujeva. Police searched for weapons in the house of Sallah Fazliu. He was left a summon to report to the police station. On August 8, police searched for Petrit Sabit Babatinca under the pretext that he is a member of the KLA.
PEJA: On August 4, police burned the workshop of Hudaverdi Shaqiri.
MITROVICA: On August 4, in Stantërg, police burned the house of Rizah Ferat Tahiri (54) from Selac. On August 8, 7 policemen beat Hysni Ramadan Beqiri (37) and Banush Hajdar Sinani (38), living in the "Tavnik" quarter. 3 policemen stopped and beat Ismail Qerim Shabani (28) and Behxhet Rrahim Haxhiu (19). They were carrying food for their shop in Shipol.
KAMENICA: On August 7, Sadulla Ahmeti and Ejup Biçku from Hogosht were taken out of the bus in Parallova and physically ill-treated by the police.

Prishtina, August 13, 1998              Information Service