REPORT NO. 439
         ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
         AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
           BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
           OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
           FROM  OCTOBER 1
           UNTIL  OCTOBER 4, 1998

     KËSHILLI PËR MBROJTJEN E TË DREJTAVE DHE TË LIRIVE TË NJERIUT
       COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
                 Rr. Vellusha 46, 38000 Prishtinë - Kosovë; tel&fax: 381 (0) 38 36 965
                   http:www.albanian.com/kmdlnj e-mail: kmdlnj@albanian.com

                               REPORT NO. 439
 
ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED BY
THE SERBIAN POLICE AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM OCTOBER 1, UNTIL OCTOBER 4, 1998
 
Despite the claims of the Serbian authorities to have stopped with their attacks and to have withdrawn to their "basis", Serbian forces continued with their operations. The activists of the Sub-CDHRF in Gjakova informed us that the village of Krelan near Dushkaja was shelled. Other villages along the border zone with Albania were targeted. Serbian forces opened fire towards Shkoza, Maxharra, Jançiq, Dragobil, etc. The activists from Skënderaj informed us that Serbian forces opened fire towards the villages of Abria e Epërme, Likoc, Plluzhina, etc. Sporadic shooting was heard in Jezerc near Ferizaj, where 1500 inhabitants are surrounded. The following villages of Klina: Svërka, Përçeva, Volljaka, Gremnik, Dush, etc., were shelled. The situation is very grave in Vraniq and other villages of Suhareka. Serbian forces in Muhlan near Suhareka and Dragobil near Malisheva opened fire towards the people trying to return to their homes. Tens of thousands of women, children and elderly are still in the open, in valleys, mountains, along the river banks. The cold as well as the lack of food and medicine, have resulted with the deaths of many children and elderly.
In the meantime, in all the regions affected by the armed conflict, many corpses of those killed, mutilated, burned beyond recognition are found. Thousands of people were reported missing, kidnapped, arrested and ill-treated.
 
THE COURSE OF EVENTS:
 
OCTOBER 1:
 
SUHAREKA: Burim Hamdi Elshani from Suhareka was separated from a group of displaced people in Vraniq and executed. His corpse was dressed in a KLA uniform and taken to a forest. The following were killed and mutilated: Milaim Bajram Bugari (29) from Suhareka, Hafir Elshani (35) from Sllapuzhan, Rasim K. Kolgeci (15) from Vraniq and Hazir Bajraktari from Budakova. Bajram Zeqir Bungu (75) was killed and mutilated with a blunt weapon in front of his house in Grejçec. Many syringes were found on the spot. The mutilated corpse was put in a wooden barrel and thrown down a mountain. The corpse was found by local villagers. The corpse of Qazim Kololli (60) from Budakova and those of the married couple Arif (80) and Xhyzide Ndrecaj were identified. The latter 2 were burned in their house in Maqiteva. For 5 days now, a group of 200 Albanians are surrounded in the Budakova mountains. They have no food and clothing and are threatened by a massacre. Serb forces have surrounded Krushica e Epërme and Krushica e Poshtme. More than 30 Albanians from the villages of Suhareka are hospitalized in the Prishtina and Prizreni Hospitals.
SKËNDERAJ: Yesterday, the corpses of the following were buried in Abria e Epërme: Rrustem Hysenaj (80) and Mehmet Xhemajli (70) from Abria e Epërme near Gllogoc and the married couple Ali and Hyrë Kolludra (50) from Gremnik near Klina. The very same day, Serbian police and military forces stationed in Likoc shelled Abria e Epërme. According to the KLA units that went to the spot of the accident in which Dr. Shpetim Robaj was killed and 3 other humanitarian workers were wounded the mine that hit the car of the ICRC was of Yugoslav production.
GLLOGOC: 3 corpses were brought in front of the local administration offices. The corpses are guarded by the police. Yesterday, the corpse of an unidentified Albanian was taken to Tërstenik, a weapon was placed in his vicinity and photos were taken. Later on, the corpse was taken to an unknown direction. On September 25, Sabit Halit Thaçi (22) fled his house in Llapushnik and was sheltered in Vuçak. On September 28, he was separated from his family, forced on a truck and taken towards Prishtina. In Orllat, Jahë and Beqir Morina were arrested by the police.
SHTËRPCE: The mutilated corpse of Sami Muharrem Bakiu (27), a father of 3, was found in his house yard in Bitia e Epërme. The inhabitants of Brod, Firaja, Viça and Izhanca have fled their villages.
FERIZAJ: On arriving to Ferizaj, a large number of people from the Paloja quarter in Bitia e Epërme stated that police and military forces on looting their wealth set fire to their houses. The very same happened in Bitia e Poshtme. 31 houses were burned in Nerodima e Epërme. The following are some of the people whose houses were destroyed: Mustafë, Isa and Rexhep Kashtanjeva; Beqir and Rasim Bega, Dalip Kalanica, Basri, Rrahim and Sejdi Reka; Bafti, Enver and Halil Maloku; Hetem Nuha, Skënder, Naim and Astrit Ramadani; Rrustem, Afrim, Jahir, Kadri and Sali Rexhepi; Isuf Topilla, Naser Osmani and Isa Hajdari. 16 houses were looted and demolished. While returning from Montenegro, Astrit Krasniqi (28) from Ferizaj was stopped by the Serbian police at the place called Ribavica. He was tied for a tree and physically ill-treated. On being released, he was left alone in the forests. In the center of the town, 2 policemen stopped Besim Hajdari (1966). He was physically ill-treated.
KLINA: Serbian police and military forces shelled Sfërka, Dush, Përçeva and Volljaka. Many "Kaqusha" missiles were fired. The displaced people, who had sought shelter in the Mirusha valley, live in fear of a massacre.
GJAKOVA: Serbian police and military forces shelled the village of Krelan. 200-300 Albanians fled and sought shelter in a valley between the villages of Gllogjan and Nepole near Peja. Serbian police severely ill-treated Xhafer Toplana from Gjakova and Ndue Bajrami from Osek-Hyla.
PRIZREN: On being tortured at the local Security Center, the following were hospitalized in the Surgery Ward of the Prizreni Hospital: Rrahim Ahmeti (1953), Afrim Ndrecaj (1974), Ibrahim Bashanori (1964), Ahmet Aliaj (1978) and Vezir Ahmetaj (1983) from Maqiteva; Mehmet Oruçi (1952) and Demë Kolgeci (1953) from Vraniq, Rasim Ahmetaj (1979) from Popolan and Demir Zmajlaj (1963) from Savrova. Shaban Aliaj (1967) from Maqiteva, Iljaz Paljushi (1959) from Budakova and Rrahim Elezi (1979) from Suhareka were hospitalized in the Orthopedics Ward. Haki Aliaj (1972) from Maqiteva was taken to the Prishtina Hospital. The district attorney's office in Prizren extended for 60 days the pre-trial detention to the following Albanians from the district of Rahovec: Milazim, Fadil and Arif Morina and Mazllum Hoti from Ratkoc; Murteza Hoti from Bellacërka, Gëzim Krasniqi from Malësia e Vogël and Daut Bytyçi from Denja. Since September 26, there are no information on the whereabouts of Lulmira Bajram Bardhi and Vera Skeli from Peja. The 2 were arrested in Suhareka, while travelling from Prizren to Prishtina. At the police check-point in the "Bajram Curri" quarter in Prizren, Elmi Bytyçi (1959), a teacher with the primary school in Hoça e Qytetit, was insulted and ill-treated.
KAÇANIK: At 11 p.m., in Gërlica e Epërme, unidentified persons burned the shop owned by Ramadan Prushi. In fear of the fire, the villagers of Gërlica, Duraj, Elezaj and Gabrrica spent the night in the open. There was shooting from the police check-point in Doganaj.
PODUJEVA: Large police, military and paramilitary forces paraded through the town. A police helicopter flew over the town and threw letters calling the Albanians to hand in their weapons. There were rumors that the Serb forces were to attack the villages of Zhitia, Breca, Pollata and Murgulla. Many villagers fled their houses.
MITROVICA: Jashar Murat Ahmeti (31) from Mitrovica was arrested at his working place in "Elektrokosova" in Skënderaj. He was taken to the police station in Mitrovica, interrogated and beaten. The following are some of those who were arrested in Fusha e Mollës: Adem Rrustem Asllani (56), Ali (27) and Tahir Aqif Asllani (25) from Abria e Poshtme and Selatin Ali Gjinovci (28) from Makërmal near Skënderaj. Those arrested were brutally tortured.
HANI I ELEZIT: Zymri Aziz Curri was stopped and physically ill-treated by Serb soldiers.
PRISHTINA: The 6-member-family of Drita Gërbeshi was evicted from their flat in "Kodra e Diellit" quarter.
 
OCTOBER 2:
 
KLINA: On September 26, in the vicinity of Murga (Skënderaj), Serbian police and military forces executed Smail Millaku (72) and his son Sefer Millaku (49) from Ujmir. The killed were previously separated from the other villagers. The following were executed in Gollubovc (Gllogoc): Agron Miftar Hasani (25), Hysen Rifat Pantina (20) and Shaip Sali Manaj (19) from Gllareva; Remzi Veselaj (35) and Zeqir Berisha from Gjurgjevik i Madh; and brothers Rasim (39) and Halim Maloku (37), teachers from Cerovik. 2 Albanian youngsters from Gllareva were severely wounded in Gollubovc. The displaced people who had fled to the Gollubovci mountains (women, children and elderly) were forced to return to the village. In Murga, Serb forces threatened 70 members of the Gashi families from Çabiq. Imer Gashi (70) was beaten in their presence. These families were forced to return to their burned houses. Fazli Gashi from Çabiq and Hasan Morina from Rigjeva were arrested. Ever since, there are no information on their whereabouts.
FERIZAJ: During the recent offensive of the Serbian police and military forces on the village of Jezerc, the following were killed: Gursel Sylejmani and Bajram Sylejmani from Sadovina e Jerlive, Sejdi Sejdiu from Nerodima e Epërme, Kemajl Hetemi from Ferizaj, Bashkim Vishi from Dubrava e Epërme, Sejdi Ramadan Halilaj (65) from Jezerc, paralyzed, and 2 unidentified Albanians. In the vicinity of the water reservoir in Pleshina, there was shooting from fire weapons. 1500 villagers, mainly women, children and elderly are under the siege of the Serbian forces in Jezerc.
OBILIQ: During the recent offensive of the Serbian police and military forces Ahmet Kelmendi (42) from Sibovc was killed. He was detained in his house and executed. On that occasion his father Hajriz (72) was severely wounded. Fejzullah R. Krasniqi (1945) from Sibovc was killed and mutilated by the Serbian forces. His corpse was decapitated. Ibrahim Pllana (55) from the village of Sibovc was killed. Nazmi Kongjeli (22) was severely wounded.
VUSHTRRI: On September 29, the corpses of Arsim Ibrahimi (13) and Musa Shaban Sheremeti (60) were found in a forest near Oshlan. In Strovc, Ajvaz Hasani (34) died as an aftermath of the wounds suffered. The burned corpse of an unidentified Albanian was found in Zhilivoda.
SHTIME: The corpse of Xhemshir Emin Ademaj (40) was found in Petrova. He had stepped on a land mine. 2 Albanians were wounded on that occasion. In Raçak, KLA units found 2 unidentified corpses. In Mullopolc, local villagers found an unidentified corpse wrapped in plastic bags. On September 30, Bislim Nasuf Bislimi from the village of Drobesh near Vitia was detained in Petrova. He was dressed in a KLA uniform, tied for a tank and dragged up to Shtime. In a deteriorated health condition, Bislim was hospitalized in Prishtina.
MALISHEVA: Since early in the morning, Serbian police, military and paramilitary forces have launched an attack on the villages of Maxhara and Dragobil. 92 houses and 120 shops were burned in Malisheva. During the last few days, the following were killed in Gollubovc, Plloçica and Llazica: Fazli Hoxhaj (41), Selman Gashi (31), Rrustem Maloku (42), Muhamet Maloku (35), Ahmet Maloku (25) and Aziz Maloku (48).
SHTËRPCE: The mutilated corpse of Daut Abdullah Rexhepi (40) was found in Viça. He was kidnapped by the Serbian forces while taking his children to school. Police arrested Hamdi Hamiti from Brod, chairman of the LDK branch in Shtërpca.
GLLOGOC: The following were arrested by Serb authorities: Tefik H. Kelmendi (27), Naim K. Kelmendi (17) and Ymer Sh. Kelmendi (19) from Karaçica and Adem Krasniqi (28) from Komoran.
PEJA: Agim Ali Gashi from Raushiq, a student of Economics, was arrested on the border between Kosova and Montenegro. Later on, he was taken to the prison in Lipjan.
MITROVICA: Serb soldiers opened fire towards Miftar Hajdar Januzi (62) and his son Astrit (16); Nuhi Sali Januzi (45) and his son Adnan (15) - all from Mazhiq. They were returning to their houses.
GJAKOVA: Many houses were raided by the police. Youngsters Marjan (17) and Florim Markaj (16) from Nec were arrested. Gjergj Cenaj and several other youngsters from Ramoc were arrested. In Rogova, police searched for Ganimete Shala, an LDK activist.
NISH: The military court in Nish sentenced Gazmend Imeri (22), Nexhdet Zymeraj (24), Avni Ahmeti (24) and Sylejman Sadria (21) to 7 years of imprisonment each. Agron Syla (28) was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment.
 
OCTOBER 3:
 
GLLOGOC: During the recent offensive of the Serbian police and military forces, the following were killed and mutilated in the district of Gllogoc: Sadri Maloku and Naim Qazim Kluna from Pokleku i Vjetër; Zeqir Brahim Fazliu and Skënder Emin Bardiqi from Gradica; Bilall Demaku (mutilated), Vesel Mursel Demaku, Xhevdet Isë Demiqi, Driton Hysenaj (his throat was cut), Valdet Sali Xhemajli, Afrim Hajdaraj, Menduhije Ymer Deliu, Habib Deliu and Hysen Deliu from Abria e Epërme; Fatos Sherif Krasniqi and Skender Liman Shala from Negroc; Fejzë Ramadan Ramadani and Naim Salihu from Shtutica; Afrim Kliçina from Bainca, Mursel Sefedini from Shtrubullova and Islam Ali Shala (90) from Krajkova.
SKËNDERAJ: Serbian police and military forces, accompanied by 8 tanks, attacked the village of Likoc. Today, the corpses of the following were found: Xhemile Jakupi (60) from Cerovik near Klina, killed on September 29, and Fitim Jakupi (22), killed on September 26, in the Vuçaku forests. On September 29, Salih Jakupi (the husband of Xhemile Jakupi) and Nebih Rrusta from Cerovik were wounded. The mutilated corpses of Sylë Ali Balaj (35) and Milazim Musli Balaj (29) from Gllareva near Klina were found in the forests near Gollubovc.
SUHAREKA: Shooting continues in Suhareka. In Vraniq, a corpse burned beyond recognition was found. The mutilated corpse of a 74-year-old man was found. 2 corpses were burned in the house of Ramadan Raçi. It is supposed that the killed were Zelfije Palushi (1939) and her brother-in-law Ymri Palushi (33) from Budakova. The victims were forced into the house and fire was set to it.  It is supposed that 250 houses were burned in Vraniq. At least 80 Albanians were arrested. In Bukosh, only 7 houses were left unburned. The mutilated corpse of Rexhep Kokollari (65) was found in Budakova. The burned corpse of Florim Jahir Gashi (28) was found in Mohlan. The mutilated corpse of Halim Bungu (36) was found in Grejçec. In the vicinity of the forester's cabin near the Buzhala quarter, 6 unidentified corpses were found. According to Sami Ahmetaj, who was hospitalized in Prizren, his wife and children were killed by the Serb forces. Some 300 people, mainly women, children and elderly, are still living in the open. 2 babies were born in the valleys of Vërshec. More than 1500 people have sought shelter in the valleys of Llanishi. 200 women, children and elderly have sought shelter in Topilla. They have no food, clothing and medical assistance. A 70 year-old man suffered a heart attack.
GJAKOVA: Since midnight, Serb forces started shelling the villages on the border with Albania.
PRIZREN: Bafti Bajraktari (1913) and Sokol Buzhala (1972) from Budakova near Suhareka were wounded by fire weapons and hospitalized in Prizren. Sedat Muçaj and Sami Ahmeti (1972) from Maqiteva near Suhareka had to be hospitalized due to the severe injuries suffered while in police custody.
BEOGRAD: According to Dragolub Jankoviq, the Serbian Minister of Justice, the investigative proceedings were initiated against 1242 Albanians indicted for "hostile activity" and "terrorism".
 
OCTOBER 4:
 
GLLOGOC: Between 7-9 p.m, the village of Likoc near Skënderaj was shelled. Since early in the morning, the villages of Abria e Epërme and Plluzhina were shelled. Serbian forces are opening fire towards the people returning to their villages. The mutilated corpses of Antigona Hysen Deliu (14) and Mihane Hysen Deliu (16) were found in Abria e Epërme. The victims had been raped.
KLINA: According to information from our field associates, the corpses that were found in Sverka e Gashit, in the vicinity of the Volljaka mines, are those of 4 Albanians killed in Grabanica. On May 18, Arben Krasniqi and a neighbor of his named Xhezair as well as 2 other unidentified Albanians were killed in Grabanica. Their corpses were buried in Grabanica. Serb forces exhumed the corpses and buried them in the Volljaka mines. Armed Serb civilians are looting cattle in the villages of Poterç, Drenoc and Dugajeva. Later on, the very same are sold.
MITROVICA: Mine fields were discovered in different areas of Shala e Bajgorës. Several mines were discovered in the vicinity of the primary school in Bara. Many wells were poisened by the Serb units.
GLLOGOC: The following were wounded by the Serb forces: Nehat Binaku, Adem and Remzi Morina, Hajriz Elshani from Gllobar; Adem, Bashkim and Nasuf Barani, Vehap Munishi from Tërstenik; Ali Prenku from Dobrashec; Fehmi and Bajram Kliçina from Baica; Fatmir Krasniqi from Gllogoc; Naser Shala, Lindita Podrimçaku and Besnik and Abedin Braiçi from Krajkova; as well as Zymber Hysenaj from Abria. The following were arrested: Rasim Ramadan Gjota from Dobrashec; Jakup Hysenaj from Abria; Petrit and Dëfrim Kliçina from Bainca; Avdi Krasniqi from Gllogoc; Habib Mehani from Gllanasella; Fatmir Shishani from Dobrashec; and Hilmi Karaxha from Çikatova e Vjetër. On September 30, the following were arrested: Isuf, Latif, Habib, Arif, Daut, Osman, Jakup, Selman, Ukshin, Mehmet, Musa, Arsim, Gëzim, Besim, Florin, Ramadan and Lirim Mehani and Kamber Karaxha - all from Gllanasella. The above mentioned were detained for 3 days and were brutally beaten.
SHTIME: Serbian forces stationed in Mushlan opened fire towards the displaced people. Rexhep and Burim Ahmeti were severely wounded when they stepped on a land mine.
MALISHEVA: In order to prevent the return of the displaced people, Serb forces attacked the village of Dragobil.
 
DELAYED INFORMATION:
 
PRIZREN: On September 14, the Serbian run District Court in Prizren initiated the investigative proceedings for "hostile activity and terrorism" against the following: Bekim Hamdi Gashi (1977), Namik Hajredin Gashi (1971), Sokol Gani Gashi (1975) and Kadri Riza Gashi (1946) from Sopniq; Haxhi Muhamet Uka (1969) and Murteza Sefë Hoti (1971) from Ratkoc; Eshref Muharrem Hoti (1969) from Denja and Nazmi Ahmeti from Peqan near Suhareka. They were sent to pre-trial detention. On September 29, the following Albanians were indicted for "terrorism" by the office of the district attorney in Prizren: Hasan Sali Berisha (1946), Hajdar Osman Berisha (1958), Nexhmedin Xheladin Berisha (1953), Burim Muhamet Berisha (1981) and Sali Hasan Berisha (1981) - all from Lez near Prizren; and Nazim Avni Ramadani (1979) from Zaplluzha near Opoja (Dragash).
KLINA: On September 18, special police units searched for Llesh Beqiri from Klina. They demolished the house and opened fire in order to cause panic among the children. On September 27, Ukë Sadik Morina (1956) from the village of Gllareva was arrested in Bainca. On September 29, in the village of Sverka, Sali Jet Morina (65) was ill-treated by 3 Serb soldiers. His ear was cut.
KAÇANIK: On September 28, large police and military forces entered the village of Semaja. They broke into and demolished the vacant Albanian houses. All valuables were looted. Those who did not flee the village were physically ill-treated. They were interrogated for weapons. Later on, the very same forces went to Burrnik. The inhabitants fled to the nearby villages.
SHTËRPCE: On September 28, Fekir Fazli Hamiti (13) was arrested and brutally beaten by the police forces stationed in Bitija e Epërme. Due to the injuries suffered his life is in danger.
SHTIME: On September 28, the following were arrested while travelling between Petrova and Mullopolc: Basri Agush Hysenaj (42), Burim Hysenaj (15) and Behxhet Emrush Hysenaj (41) from Petrova; brothers Sherif (21) and Faruk Imer Jashari (16) from Prelez i Jerlive (Ferizaj). They were taken to the Security Center in Ferizaj, detained for 36 hours and physically ill-treated.
 
NOTICE: During this week, the following were reported missing: Binak Zaja (27) from Novosella near Gjakova; Fadil Hasan Haxhimustafa (20) from Rahovec; Naim Kamer Leka (17) from Bainca; Sabit Halit Thaçi (22) from Llapushnik near Gllogoc; Arsim Murseli (1975), a student from Mitrovica, living in Prishtina; Ali Smajl Muharremi (60) and his wife Fana from Runik near Skënderaj; Lulzim Hysen Syla (19710 from Sllapuzhan near Suhareka; Emin Jashanica (85) from Bivolak near Vushtrria; Haki Ramë Qorraj (29) from Carrabregu i Poshtëm near Deçan; Esat Ramadan Avdyli (25) and his wife Shqipe Avdyli (19) from Piskota near Gjakova; Brahim Kamberaj, his wife and their 4 children from Lebusha near Deçan; Hasan, Deli and Afrim Vrellaku; Hajriz Deliu and Ramadan Hysenaj from Abria e Epërme near Gllogoc; Naim and Feride Krasniqi and their 2 children from Klinavc near Klina; Ilaz (67), Beqir (58), Bajram (28) and Veli Ndrecaj (28); Ilaz (60), Sylejman (25) and Osman Kokollari from Budakova near Suhareka; and Shaip (50), Smajl (35), Fadil (22), Fazli (19), Hysni (17), Shefki (23), Sherif (34) and Avdyl Ndrecaj (19) from Maqiteva near Suhareka.
 
Prishtina, October 4, 1998
Information Service