REPORT NO. 448
ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM DECEMBER 1
UNTIL DECEMBER 6, 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 & 530 409
http//:www.albanian.com/kmdlnj e-mail: kmdlnj@albanian.com
REPORT NO. 448
ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA FROM DECEMBER 1 UNTIL
DECEMBER 6, 1998
There is no end to the killings in Kosova. During
the first week of December, 14 Albanians were killed and the corpses of
9 Albanians were found.
Since January 1, 1998, 1831 Albanians (including
women, children and elderly) were killed and mutilated by the Serbian police
and military forces or died as an aftermath of the war in happening.
Killings, mutilations, violent deaths...
On December 2, at 5 p.m., in the "Bregu i Diellit"
quarter in Prishtina, unidentified persons, who are assumed to be members
of the Serbian Secret Service, opened fire and killed Hyzri Talla (1963)
from Letanc (Podujeva), a deputy commander of the KLA, Afrim Maliqi (1965)
from Dobratin (Podujeva), editor of the "Rilindja" daily in Prishtina,
and Ilir Durmishi (1967) from Shajkoc near Podujeva, a student in Prishtina.
Tefta Isufaj, a student from Deçan, was wounded and was taken to
the Prishtina Hospital.
On December 2, at 6 p.m., Nexhmedin Sadik Bedra
(48) from Gjakova was killed by unidentified persons in the vicinity of
the village of Dollc near Klina. Shkumbin Kumnova, the owner of the vehicle
in which the killing occurred, was taken to the police station. On being
interrogated for 3 hours he was released.
On December 3, at 4 a.m., at the place called
"Kërbas", in the vicinity of the village of Planeja near Prizren,
8 Albanians were killed by the Serbian military forces. The following were
killed: Sinan Abaz Hoti (1974), Isak Adem Hoti (1974), Sedat Aziz Hoti
(1975), Ismet Daut Hoti (1975), Hyda Isa Hoti (1976), Hysni Xhafer Duraku
(1961) and Muhamet Muharrem Malësori (1955) from Krusha e Madhe near
Rahovec and Skënder Hameli (40) from Mazrrek near Prizren. 5 of the
killed were students. According to a KLA superior, the killed were refugees,
who were returning to their village.
On December 4, Myrvete Sali Maksuti (21) from
the village of Orrobërda near Istog was killed in the yard of the
Peja Hospital.
On December 5, at the place called "Kodra e Kuajve"
in the Mesinaj quarter in Klina e Epërme, Brahim Musliu (53) from
Klina e Mesme (Skënderaj) was killed by Serb snipers. Brahim was killed
while on his way to Runik.
On November 28, the corpses of Ali Ismail Muharremi
(65) and of his wife Fane Muharremi (63) were found in the vicinity of
their house in the village of Runik near Skënderaj. The 2 went missing
in September.
On December 1, family members identified the
corpse of Nehat Berisha (45) from the village of Lez near Prizren. Nehat
was killed by the Serbian police and military forces on September 1.
On December 1, it was confirmed that Xhemajl
Bytyçi (43), from the village of Reçak near Shtime, a father
of 5, hung himself on November 27, due to being tortured by the Serbian
police. On November 12, 21 and 23, Xhemajl was taken to the police station
and subjected to electro-shock. His family had been threatened with liquidation.
On December 3, it was confirmed that the following
had been killed in the district of Kaçanik: Bajrush Bedri Tafili
(1958) from Kaçanik, on May 2, and Agim Çerkin Bajrami (1964)
from Kaçanik, on August 10. According to Binak Prenku from the village
of Lajthishta near Obiliq, on September 22, in Shkabaj, Zoje Prenku (1953)
and her sister Kosovare Prenku (1992) were crushed and killed by an armoured
car of the Serbian police forces. The 2 were buried in Lajthishta.
On December 5, the mutilated corpse of Rabishe
Zeneli (67) was found in the village of Mazhiq near Mitrovica. She was
considered missing since September 16.
Kidnappings and disappearances
There are no information on the whereabouts of
the following: Bekim Tovërlani (20) from Klinavc-Klina (since June
20); Drita Maloku from Plloçica-Malisheva and Burbuqe Ismet Dërguti
from Rahovec (since July 18); Beqir Gashi from Çabiq-Klina (since
August 3); Xhemail Zekolli (36) from Drenoc-Klina (since August); Hysen
Krasniqi (1951) from Denja-Rahovec (since August); Selim Hasani (20) and
Afrim Hasani (18) from Rakovina-Gjakova (since September); Rifat Zeneli
(85) from Mazhiq-Mitrovica (since September 16); Sedat Ali Gashi (35) from
Opterusha-Rahovec (a worker in Austria, recently arrested by the Serbian
police).
Trials...
The following were sentenced to prison terms
by the Serbian run District Court in Prizren: on December 2, Ruzhdi Azem
Shabani (1975) from Dragaçina near Suhareka (2 years of imprisonment);
on December 4, Ramadan Shaban Zyberaj (1954) from Gurakuq near Rahovec
to 3 years of imprisonment (sent to serve his prison term in Prokupla),
and Xhemë Sadri Morina (1958) from Malësia e Vogël near
Rahovec to 2 years of imprisonment (sent to serve his prison term in Leskovc).
The following were sentenced to prison terms
by the Serbian run District Court in Peja: on December 2, Idriz Niman Zhutaj
(1972) from Raushiq near Peja (to 1 year and a half); on December 3, Bajram
M. Gashi (1950) from Baran near Peja (to 2 years and a half); on December
4, Nexhat Osman Dervishaj (1966) from Irzniq near Deçan (to 1 year
and a half).
THE COURSE OF EVENTS:
DECEMBER 1:
MITROVICA: A truck and 3 vehicles full of Serb
policemen headed towards Skënderaj. Automatic fire was opened in the
"Bair" quarter.
VUSHTRRI: In the outskirts of Vushtrria, Serb
policemen stopped the bus of the "Ibri Trans" Travel Agency travelling
between Prishtina and Mitrovica. The passengers were taken out of the bus.
Several Albanians from the district of Skënderaj were arrested. Ever-since
there are no information on their whereabouts. Hasan Hasani (1959) from
Dumnica e Poshtme was beaten by 2 Serb policemen. He suffered severe body
injuries and was threatened to be slaughtered with a knife. Aziz M. Krasniqi
and his 2 sons were arrested by the Serbian police.
PRIZREN: On the road between Prizren and Suhareka,
Halit Hamëz Memaj (1963) from the village of Lutogllava was arrested
by the police.
PRISHTINA: In the vicinity of the "Dragodani"
quarter, Serb policemen physically ill-treated brothers Hasan (1974), a
student, and Hysni Isuf Balaj (1970), a baker in Prishtina, as well as
Besnik Balidedaj (1974)-all 3 from the village of Dedaj near Prizren.
KLINA: Serb policemen were stationed at the check-point
in Dollc and in the vicinity of Gllareva. Many Albanian passers-by were
ill-treated.
FERIZAJ: In the center of Ferizaj, Hysen Shabani
(45), a pedagogue with the "Abetarja" Primary School in Softaj, was stopped
and physically ill-treated by the Serbian police.
ISTOG: The compulsory principals of the "Hysni
Zajmi" Primary School in Vrella and the "Trepça" Primary School
in Banja prevented Albanian pupils from attending school.
RAHOVEC: Olgica Mojsiq usurped the flat of dr.
Skënder Gashi, a gynecologist. She was settled in it with the help
of the Serbian police.
DECEMBER 2:
OBILIQ: Serb forces stationed at the place called
"Kërshat e Grabovcit" continue to open fire towards the villages of
Graboc i Poshtëm, Graboc i Epërm and Shipitulla.
VUSHTRRI: 3 trucks and an armoured car of the
Serbian police headed towards the villages west of Çiçavica.
In the vicinity of the park in Vushtrria, Naim L. Selimi (1980) from Vërrmica
and Feriz S. Ujkani (1980) from Bukosh, pupils with the "Marin Beçikemi"
Secondary School, were stopped by 6 Serb policemen. They were brutally
beaten. Their books and their school bags were torn.
PRIZREN: In the Ortakolli quarter in Prizren,
Xhemajl Izair Krasniqi (55) from Hoça e Qytetit was arrested by
the police.
SUHAREKA: In the village of Mohlan, police arrested
Sokol Kabashi (1961). He was taken to the prison in Prizren.
KLINA: At noon, Serb policemen and a Serb employee
with the "Azem Bejta" Primary School in Grabanica, opened fire and demolished
the remaining school inventory. In the evening, there were strong detonations
in the vicinity of the Frroku quarter in Dollc. A blasting material was
thrown on the house of Lekë Frroku. The very same night, Serb forces
opened fire towards the villages of Sverka, Përçeva and Dush.
GLLOGOC: A large number of Serb policemen blocked
the center of Komoran. Money was looted from many Albanian passers-by.
The very same policemen in the vicinity of the "Jeta e Re" Primary School
demolished the tractor owned by Mehdi Hamdi Nura from Kishnareka. Serb
policemen opened fire towards Muhamet Ramiz Berisha (14) and Ali Ramadan
Berisha (16) from Kishnareka. The 2 were cutting wood in a nearby forest.
An armoured car of the Serbian police paraded through Shtrubullova. Many
passers-by were provoked.
FUSHË-KOSOVA: A Serb convoy comprised of
7 armoured cars, 5 armoured jeeps a bus and a fire engine left Prishtina
and headed towards Peja.
FERIZAJ: Haki Qerim Ukshini (68) and Kemajl Kadri
Murseli (1961) from Komogllava were summoned to the Security Center in
Ferizaj for informative talks regarding weapons. They were ordered to report
again on December 9. Gafurr Tahiri (1950) and his son Xhevat Tahiri were
arrested at the bus station in Gjilan. They were detained for an hour and
interrogated on the political situation and the KLA.
RAHOVEC: In the village of Gradisha, police arrested
Agim Kastrati (37) from Malësia e Vogël.
DECEMBER 3:
SUHAREKA: Three armoured cars paraded through
Suhareka. The policemen held their guns pointed at the citizens.
MITROVICA: A police convoy of 2 lorries, 2 APCs,
2 excavators and 1 jeep headed towards Skënderaj.
FUSHË-KOSOVA: A convoy of the Serbian police
and military forces comprised of 30 tanks, some APCs and other vehicles
headed towards Drenica.
VUSHTRRI: At the place called "Ura e Gurit",
Serbian policemen stopped the bus travelling from Vushtrri to Bivolak and
arrested 4 passengers. A convoy of police vehicles moved towards the villages
of Samadrexha, Ropica and Vilanc.
PODUJEVA: There were large police reinforcements
in several parts of the town and at the police stations in Podujeva and
Lluzhan. Automatic fire was opened at the place called "Pishat e Orllanit".
Serbian police continue to ill-treat passers-by and to intervene in public
places. Since November 30, a police squad is stationed at the Besiana check-point.
KLINA: Yesterday, in Gjurgjevik i Madh, Serbian
policemen arrested and severely ill-treated brothers Ilir and Avni Berisha.
Avni was kept hostage, whereas Ilir was released after 4 hours. He was
ordered to hand in his weapons up to 3.00 p.m. Otherwise, they threatened
to burn their house. Avni was released today.
PRISHTINA: At about 3.00 a.m., the "Emina" shop,
owned by Avdi Ramadani, was damaged by a blast.
FERIZAJ: In the "Kalifornia" cafe in Ferizaj,
two Serb policemen arrested Shpendim Ramush Mjaku (18) from Varosh.
DECEMBER 4:
PEJA: Myrvete Sali Maksutaj (20) from Orrobërda
near Istog was killed due to fire opened in the Hospital hall and yard.
Xhevat Qarri and his wife Shemsie, Jeton Mulaj, a child, Mitar Stanishiq,
a policeman, and Milun Sedlaroviq, a watchman, were wounded. Police went
to the lung Hospital and ill-treated the medical staff and the Albanian
patients threatening to kill them. Tahir Ademaj (48), a lab technician,
was arrested. According to an eye-witness, police killed wounded Myrvete
while fleeing. Prior to the incident, police had brought a wounded Albanian
from the prison of Dubrava. In the outskirts of Peja, at the police check-point
towards Rugova, police arrested several Albanians who were travelling in
a tractor.
RAHOVEC: Two lorries were stationed in front
of the "Park" hotel. The hotel has been blocked by the Serbian forces.
There were shooting in the town itself.
SKËNDERAJ: The number of the Serbian police
forces has increased in Skënderaj and its surroundings. There were
large movements of police forces on the road between Klina e Mesme and
Skënderaj.
OBILIQ: Hajredin Mjeku, chairman of the Sub-CDHRF
in Obiliq, Hajriz Bekteshi, chairman of the District Financial Council
in Obiliq, Rexhep Krelani, chairman of the LDK branch in Obiliq, Idriz
Konjusha and Hasan S. Mjeku, activists of the LDK, were stopped by the
Serbian police, taken to the police station, interrogated and released.
Police stopped a bus, checked the identities of and ill-treated the passengers.
GLLOGOC: In Poklek i Ri, Serbian policemen stopped
a car and arrested two Albanian youngsters.
MITROVICA: Police searched for Arben Ramadan
Ademi (19), who had been beaten several times by the police. Selman Hashim
Ibishi (63) was evicted by force from his flat. The flat was delivered
to him 25 years ago by the "Trepça" Combine.
DECEMBER 5:
MALISHEVA: Serb snipers stationed on the top
of the police station opened fire towards Sinan Azem Mazrreku (38) and
Osman Ramiz Mazrreku (35), who were on their way home to pick up some things.
VUSHTRRI: Since the early hours of the morning,
large police forces blocked all the roads to the town. Murat Smajl Dauti
(50), a former political prisoner from Runik near Skënderaj, was kept
in detention during the last two days.
ISTOG: Large police forces surrounded the Brahimaj
quarter in Kashica. They opened fire and arrested Adem and Ilmi Ibrahimaj
from Kashica, as well as Ramadan Shala (48) from Loxha.
DEÇAN: An armoured car was stationed in
the yard of the primary school in Irzniq. From this position, Serb forces
opened fire towards the village.
PODUJEVA: Serb forces opened fire in several
parts of the town. There were shooting in Dumnica and Shtedim.
FERIZAJ: Under the pretext of searching for weapons,
Serbian police raided the houses of Destan and Abdullah Maloku, as well
as that of Rexhep Veseli in "Pleshina" st.. Petrit Destan Maloku (1971),
Enver (1967) and Fehmi Maloku (20), as well as Muharrem (30) and Bislim
Rexhep Veseli (25) were arrested. Agim Ibrahimi was arrested in "Gjilani"
st.
PRISHTINA: Serb hooligans offended and provoked
Albanian passers-by, as well as the workers of the KIC.
DECEMBER 6:
MITROVICA: In the "Tavnik" quarter, Haki Isuf
Halili (33), owner of the "Ardiani" shop, was arrested by 8 Serb policemen
under the pretext that he was selling goods without proper documents.
DELAYED INFORMATION:
FERIZAJ: On November 20, in Shtime, police arrested
Zymer Agushi from Jezerc near Ferizaj, a displaced person settled in Shtime.
He was taken to the prison in Prishtina. On November 26, Muhamet Ruzhdi
Ahmeti (1960) from Ferizaj was taken for informative talks and interrogated
on his professional activity as a physician and his activity within the
LDK. On November 27, in the center of Ferizaj, a Serb civilian stopped
Fadil Vishaj (1963) from Ferizaj and took him to the police station where
they confiscated cigarettes estimated to DM 80 from him. On November 28,
on the road between Ferizaj and Gaçka, police arrested and physically
ill-treated Sabit Hasani from Semaja under the pretext of being a KLA member.
In the yard of the house of Muhamet and Ruzhdi Avdyli in Ferizaj, a bomb
exploded and caused damaged.
PRIZREN: On November 27, in the vicinity of the
Prizreni Hospital, 4 policemen took Blerim Krasniqi (1973), "Ramiz Sadiku"
st. 173, interrogated him on the KLA and ordered him to report to the police
station on December 2. On November 28, in the "Ortakolli" quarter in Prizren,
Serbian police stopped Ramadan Krasniqi from Poslishta, took him to the
police station and ordered him to report again on December 2. On November
30, in the vicinity of Landovica, Serbian police arrested Emrush O. Morina
(54) from Gexha near Rahovec and took him to the Security Center in Prizren.
In the "Ramiz Sadiku" st. of the "Tusus" quarter, a police squad stopped
Afrim Krasniqi (1972), interrogated him on the KLA, took his ID and ordered
him to report to the police station the next day. In Kushnin i Hasit, a
military superior ruined the walls of the yard of Jakup Shatri.
MITROVICA: On November 27, 3 policemen stopped
and severely ill-treated Fatmir Shefqet Rexha (30) from Pantina near Vushtrria.
On November 28, in the vicinity of the Ibri bridge, 3 policemen severely
ill-treated Fitim Fehmi Konjusha (20) and Jeton Behxhet Jashanica (19),
students. Both suffered severe injuries. On November 29-30, in the early
hours of the morning, automatic shots were heard from the water supply
in Shipol.
VUSHTRRI: On November 27, in the outskirts of
Vushtrri, Serbian police stopped and severely ill-treated Sylë Beqiri
from Okrashtica. On November 29, in the vicinity of the Health Care Center
in Mitrovica, Serbian policemen arrested brothers Safet (18) and Ekrem
Hajdari (16) from the village of Bare near Mitrovica under the pretext
that this village is under the control of the KLA. Both are sheltered in
Vushtrri. The policemen severely ill-treated them and looted DM 200 from
them.
ISTOG: On November 27, Bekim V. Ramçaj
(1978) from Studenica, was beaten up by the Serbian police in Novosella
near Peja.
NOTICE: During the last week we were informed
that the houses of the following were looted, burned and destroyed by the
Serbian police and military forces: Florije Manaj (1978) from Gllareva
near Klina (August), Sefer Seferi from Magura near Lipjan (August 23) and
Smajl Pajazit Morina from Dollova near Klina (December 1).
Prishtina, December 6, 1998
Information Service