REPORT NO. 451
         ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
         AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
           BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
           OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
           FROM  DECEMBER 20
           UNTIL  DECEMBER 27, 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. 451

ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED BY THE SERBIAN REGIME AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA FROM DECEMBER 20 UNTIL DECEMBER 27, 1998

Killings, mutilations, violent deaths...

On December 21, the Serb Media Center in Prishtina quoted police sources saying that Miliq Joviq (51), a worker with the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs, was killed and that Miliana Pantiq, an employee with the very same, was wounded.
On December 22, Jahë Sali Kabashi was killed by the Serbian police in the Kabashi quarter in the village of Zahaq near Peja. Jaha was taken out of his house and executed in the presence of his family members. They were ordered not to touch the corpse.
On December 23, Naser Qazim Haziri (23) from Mitrovica died in the Prishtina Hospital. On December 22, he was wounded by unidentified persons.
On December 23, Hakë Sadri Osaj (23) was killed in Klina e Epërme near Skënderaj. Qerime Lahu-Osaj (60), Agim Sadri Osaj (41), his wife Fatime (27) and their children Arbenita (5) and Donika (1), as well as Zojë (32) and Shukrije Sadri Osaj and their neighbour Lendita Brahim Azizi (23) were wounded.
On December 24, the following were killed during the attack of the Serbian police and military forces on the villages of Podujeva: Behxhet Ramiz Maçani (30) from Podujeva (killed by a Serb sniper in the village of Sekiraça); Albana Safet Hajdari (6) (killed by a Serb sniper in her house yard); Shefkije Salihu (40) from Podujeva, a mother of 5 (her corpse was found in the fields near the Tile Factory); Isa Havolli (55) from Llapashtica-a soldier of the KLA; Hetem Zeqir Selmani (49), Salih Zeqir Selmani (47), Avni Nezir Selmani (24), Fatmir Dalip Selmani (22) and Mirsad Hakif Abdullahu (17)-all from the village of Gllamnik (killed in their house yards) and Ajvaz Potera (45) from Llapashtica. It is assumed that 3 Albanians were killed in Obrança. Yet, the number of the killed in the villages attacked by the Serbian police and military forces is supposed to be higher
According to the Serb Media Center in Prishtina, on December 26, Milovan Radojeviq (65) was killed in the village of Obrança near Podujeva.
On December 21, we received the list of the Albanians killed in the district of Rahovec in the course of 1998. The names of the following were added to the list: Avdullah Hoxha (70), a pensioner, killed on July 19; Fadil Avni Silimusa (1978), a mentally disturbed person, Qelibije Hazër Alirifa (1944), a housewife, and Lutvije Durguti (72), a housewife - killed on July 20; Gjilferije Shaban Hasanmeraj (1920), a housewife, killed on July 21; Mizair Jetullah Isma (1963), an electrician, and Bekim Shaban Isma (26), a farmer, killed on July 22; as well as Asllan Kapllan Kleçka (1947), an auto mechanic, killed in August; Sejdi Miftar Zyberi, a farmer, and Esherafedin Rexhep Kastrati (18) - both from the village of Drenoc near Rahovec, killed on September 3.
On December 24, it was confirmed that the 5-month-old baby of Ali Hoti from the village of Jashanica near Klina died due to the lack of medical assistance.
On December 25, it was confirmed that Besnik Liman Begunca (1972) from Kaçanik was killed by the Serbian police on August 10.

Kidnappings and disappearances...

There are no information on the whereabouts of the following: Nimon Musa Demaj (1978) from Vrella - Istog (since June); Bedri Sadedin Bugari (1971), Remzi Sadri Ukshini (24) and Gëzim Sali Hamza (1963) - the three from Rahovec and Mark Palush Gashi (40) from Dobidol - Rahovec (since July); Blerim Bajram Ukshini (20), Arben Avdyl Ukshini (23), Nezir Halim Elezi and Sylejman Tafë Avdyli - all from Morina near Gjakova (since July 9); Skënder Aliu (42) from Stroc - Vushtrri (since September 23); Bajram Ramadan Fazlija (1969) from Keqekolla - Prishtina (since November 26); Reshat Murat Ejupi (1969) from Blaç - Dragash and his wife Drahomira Trajakova, Czech citizen (since December 19); Hava Havolli (44) from Llapashtica - Podujeva and Latif Salihu from Podujeva (since December 24).

Trials...

- On December 21, the Serbian Run District Court in Prizren convicted Hamidin Kapetan Berisha (1960) and Shaqir Miftar Poniku (1967) - both from Prizren. The two were sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment each and were sent to serve their prison terms in Vranje (Serbia).
- On December 25, the Serbian Run District Court in Prishtina convicted the following for "hostile activity" and "terrorism": Berat Luzha (a journalist) to 10 years of imprisonment, Hajrush Kurtaj to 9, Naser Kuka, Reshat Salihaj, Behxhet Imishi, Remzi Elezi and Naim Rekaj - to 8, Qamil Iljazi and Xhevat Haziri to 7, Abdylgafurr Luma to 6, Danush Kurtaj, Hasan Dalloshi and Fatmir Kurtaj to 5 and Mehdi Dalloshi and mr. Tefik Raka - to 3 years of imprisonment - all from the districts of Kaçanik and Vitia.
- On December 25, the Serbian Run District Court in Prishtina, convicted the following: Zahrije Podrimçaku, an activist of the Sub-CDHRF in Gllogoc, to 4 years of imprisonment, Agron Ramadani from Prishtina to 3 years and Shabije Lokaj to 2 years. All three were accused of "hostile activity" and "terrorism".
- On December 25, the Serbian Run District Court in Prishtina convicted the following: Emin Shabani to 6 years of imprisonment, Rexhep Shabani to 5 years and Frashër Shabani to 3 years of imprisonment - the three from Ferizaj. They were charged for "terrorism".

THE COURSE OF EVENTS:

DECEMBER 20:

MALISHEVA: In the vicinity of Mleçan, police wounded Eshref Bafti Muçaj (50) from Prizren and a co-passenger of his. Zejnullah Sopi (1949) from Prizren, Asllan Dana (41) and brothers Fitim and Fatos Sahiti (19) from Krusha e Madhe near Rahovec were arrested. They were travelling to the village of Polac near Skënderaj to attend the funeral of the Albanians killed on the border with Albania on December 14. At the place called "Pishat e Llazicës", Muharrem Rr. Kastrati (36) and Haxhi L. Kastrati from Domanek were severely ill-treated by the police. In Gjergjica near Gllogoc, police forced out of the bus and arrested three Albanian students from Drenoc.
PEJA: Large police forces blocked the "Haxhi Zeka" quarter in Peja, raided, demolished and looted many houses, beat and arrested several Albanians. The houses of the following were raided: Zenel Muriqi, Ramiz Nikçi, Gani, Ismet and Izet Goga, Mahir Muhaxheri, Shaban Krasniqi, Shkëlzen Sylça, Vesel Luta, Ramiz Zeka, Myftar Idrizi, Brahim Rugova, Sali Dashi, Ruzhdi Sylça, prof. Ali Sylça, Arif Gjikolli, Halil Dervishaj, Ramiz Muriqi and Sadik Muriqi. The following were beaten: Shaban Krasniqi, Vesel Luta, Gazmend Ramiz Zeka (23), Hasime Fetahaj (48) and his son Jeton (23). The following were arrested: Ismet Goga, Eroll Mahir Muhaxheri (23), Nazmi H. Shala (22) and Gazmend Ramiz Zeka (23). Police searched for the following: Visar Zenel Muriqi (20) and Valon Vesel Luta (22). Police looted the jewels belonging to the wife of Ismet Goga and the goods owned by Shkëlzen Sylça estimated to DM 5.000. They demolished the houses of Halil Dervishaj, Ramiz and Sadik Muriqi. Two armed Serbian speaking persons entered the house of Musa Zekaj, "Sh. Spahia" st., looted DM 1.300 and the jewels belonging to his daughter-in-law estimated to several thousands of DM.
GJAKOVA: Yesterday, police arrested Vesel Myrtaj (65), his son Hilmi (34) and Valon Myrtë Myrtaj (16) - the three from Osek-Hyla. Vesel was released in a deteriorated health condition due to the police beating. Hilmi and Valon were sent to the prison in Peja.
MITROVICA: In the evening, the Serb forces stationed at the water reservoir in Shipol opened machine gun fire.
VUSHTRRI: Serb policemen in 3 APCs and a Landrover went to the villages of Sllatina and Tarbulluq. There was panic among the villagers.
SHTIME: Abdullah Shaqiri (40) was arrested by the police. He was immediately sent to the police station in Ferizaj.

DECEMBER 21:

PODUJEVA: At 9 a.m., a military convoy of 15 tanks from the military base in Batllava paraded through the road between Lluzhan and Podujeva. They provoked passers-by and headed towards Kërpimeh. 6 tanks were stationed in the Lepaja quarter in Dobratin. 9 tanks were stationed between the villages of Bajçina and Dobërdol. For more than 2 hours the Serb forces opened fire towards the positions of the KLA. As the KLA forces responded, the Serb forces withdrew to the base. At noon, Serbian police and paramilitary forces were stationed on all the cross-roads in Podujeva. Serb snipers were stationed on top of the high buildings.
Adem Ajeti (60) from Podujeva and Hyzri Muçiqi (28) from Llapashtica e Epërme were arrested by the police. On being physically ill-treated, they were released. Many Albanians were ill-treated. Later on, Serb forces with over 10 APCs blocked the part of the town in which a police inspector was killed and a Serb woman was wounded. Xhemajl Arifi was arrested. His house was raided and a considerable amount of medicine was seized from him. Policemen and paramilitaries opened automatic fire and damaged the houses of Sylejman Deda, Arif Hyseni, Avdullah Murati, Avdyl Fejzullahu and Latif Përvetica in Llapashtica e Epërme. Brothers Xhemjal, Arif and Blerim Arifi were arrested, severely ill-treated and released. Their bakery was demolished.
FUSHË-KOSOVA: Last night, Serb policemen opened automatic fire and damaged the houses of Gani and Sali Jashanica, Aziz Hasolli and Ramadan Qyqalla in Bardh i Madh. Last night, after midnight, Serb civilians demolished the private house in which the "Mihal Grameno" Primary School is located. The school inventory was looted. 70 policemen were stationed at the coal open-pit mine in Bardh i Madh.
SUHAREKA: Serbian police forces are still stationed in the villages of Reshtan, Mohlan and Grejçec. Military units were stationed in Qafa e Duhlës and Bajrak, as well as in the Biraçi mountains. Last night, there was shooting in Suhareka and Mushtisht. In the outskirts of Suhareka, police are stopping and ill-treating passers-by.
MITROVICA: There are large movements of the Serbian police forces in the streets of Mitrovica. In Shipol, police are stopping and ill-treating passers-by. 6 lorries, 3 landrovers and 2 APCs full of policemen left Mitrovica and headed towards Skënderaj. Eset Mujë Ujkani (38), an engineer from Vinarc i Epërm was summoned to the police station in Mitrovica and sent to 30 days of pre-trial detention. Dejan Saviq, a Serb policeman from Gojbula near Vushtrri, chased several Albanian youngsters, cigarette vendors, through the streets of the "Tavnik" quarter. He looted 20 boxes of cigarettes from Behxhet Xhevat Voca (40) and threatened him. In the vicinity of the Ibri bridge, two policemen arrested the following pupils of the Medical Secondary School: Samedin Jusuf Kameri (16) from Pantina near Vushtrri and Gëzim Nasuf Ismajli (16) from "Ura e Gjakut" quarter in Mitrovica. They were taken to the police station, interrogated on the KLA, provoked and ill-treated them. Later on, they were released.
VUSHTRRI: Serbs from Graca and Prilluzha opened fire during the night and early in the morning. Police searched for Adnan Klinaku from Stanoc i Poshtëm. At about 7.00 p.m., in front of the District assembly in Vushtrri, fire shots were heard and then, large police forces were stationed in different parts of the town.
PRIZREN: Serb military forces were stationed again in Planeja and along the border with Albania. They mined the border zone.
PEJA: Large police forces stationed in the outskirts of the town beat tens of Albanian citizens. Ardit Adem Nikçi (20), Izet Sejfijaj (35) and Ylfet Sadri Hajrizaj are in detention since the day before yesterday, when police arrested them.
GJAKOVA: Serbian police arrested Ibrahim Pepshi (38), Luz Luli (62) and Rrahman Jonuzi (45) from Dujaka, as well as Kadri Jasiqi (45) from Hereç. Later on, Luz and Kadri were released.
OBILIQ: Several Serb policemen and soldiers in an APC were stationed on the road between Raskova, Baksh and Besia. They are stopping and checking the identities of the Albanian passers-by. Police forces were stationed in the vicinity of Sulltan Murat's turbeh in Mazgit and ill-treated several Albanian pupils and citizens. At noon, Serb hooligans physically ill-treated Premtim, Hazbije and Shqipe Mehmeti, as well as several pupils of the "Pandeli Sotiri" Primary School in Plemetin.
PRISHTINA: In the "Ulpiana" quarter, 15 Serb hooligans severely ill-treated Baton Masurica (1982) from "Bregu i Diellit" quarter, a pupil with the "Xhevdet Doda" Gymnasium. He suffered severe body injuries.
KLINA: Serb police arrested Musli Hoti (25) from Jashanica. He was brutally beaten and accused of being a member of the KLA. He was ordered to report again in two days. A Serb policeman named Izgareviq from Jagoda physically ill-treated Mëhill, Jak and Vilson Marniku from Zllakuqan.
SKËNDERAJ: Members of Serb military and paramilitary forces wearing black uniforms arrived in Skënderaj. At midnight, fire shots were heard from the police station and the Ammunition Plant. A Serb policeman was wounded in the vicinity of the police station. In hospital, he stated that he was wounded due to his careless handling of weapons. Serb police stopped the bus travelling from Mitrovica to Prishtina and interrogated Halide Durmishi (1979), a student from Skënderaj, on the whereabouts of her brother Shaban, who is currently living in Germany.
GJILAN: 4 policemen raided the house of and searched for Sabri Kamberi (1966) from Përlepnica. They left him an order to report to the police station in Gjilan.

DECEMBER 22:

PEJA: At about 6.00 a.m., more than 100 policemen in 25 vehicles surrounded the "Kabashi" quarter in Zahaq near Peja. They raided the houses of Sali, Avdi and Arif Kabashi. Jahë Sali Kabashi (30) was taken out of the house and executed in the presence of his family members. They were ordered not to touch the corpse, until the policemen return. During the raid, policemen brutally beat many inhabitants of this quarter and demolished house furniture. After the raid, Avdi (44), Shefqet (24), Naim (23), Valdet (24) and Bashkim Kabashi (23) were arrested. In the "Fidanishte" quarter, Serb hooligans severely ill-treated Besnik Batusha, a pupil with the "Bedri Pejani" Secondary School.
PODUJEVA: A military convoy of over 20 armoured vehicles headed towards Batllava and were stationed in the military base in the vicinity of the airport in Dumosh. In this village, Serb forces opened trenches with an excavator. Policemen and paramilitaries are patrolling through the streets of Podujeva and are surveying the terrain. At noon, under the pretext of searching for weapons, a squad of more than 30 Serb policemen in 5 APCs raided and demolished the houses of the following: Sefedin, Bejtush and Imer Bllaca; Ali and Avdi Bajoku; Feti and Enver Jahiri; Halit and Musa Bajrami; Adem Ajeti and Kadri Kaçiu. During the raid, policemen physically ill-treated pupils Saxhid Zeka, Valon Musliu, Selatin Kaçiu and Fatmir Ajeti, as well as Sejdi Bajrami from Podujeva, Isuf Abdullahu from Dumnica e Epërme and Faton Hasani from Dumnica e Poshtme. The roof of the house of Ramush Abdullahu in Podujeva was burned. Serb policemen were stationed in this house.
RAHOVEC: A group of Serb soldiers in 2 armoured cars were stationed in Celina and started to shell the place between the hill of Celina and that of Krusha e Madhe. When the International Verifiers arrived, soldiers withdrew, but returned in the afternoon in a higher number and in 2 armoured cars, 2 APCs and a tank. They were accompanied by two teams of OSCE verifiers. Serb soldiers are preventing all movement to and from Celina.
MITROVICA: Groups of policemen were stationed at the bus station in Mitrovica and Shupkoc, where they stopped and checked the passers-by and cars. Two lorries and a jeep full of policemen headed towards Skënderaj. In the vicinity of the green market, 4 policemen arrested Samir Asllan Begu (18) from the "Bair" quarter, looted cigarettes estimated to DM 100 from him and severely ill-treated him.
In the vicinity of the "Adriatiku" hotel, unidentified persons wounded Lulzim Mehmet Ademi from Broboniq and Naser Qazim Haziri (23) from "Ura e Gjakut" quarter in Mitrovica. The latter was immediately taken to the Surgery Ward of the Prishtina Hospital. After this, large police forces blocked all cross-roads of the town and severely ill-treated a number of passers-by, among whom Hajriz Hamit Istrefi (49), "Ibri" quarter, his wife Sabije (44) and his daughter Besarta (10). At about 10.00 p.m., over 15 policemen intervened in the "Bedro" tea shop in "Ibri" quarter and arrested Nazmi Kuçi (23) and Faruk Mehmet Rrahmani (25). Both were subjected to interrogation. Later on, they were released.
VUSHTRRI: Last night, at about 11.00 p.m., there was shooting in Pestova. Today, the part in front of the District Assembly is blocked by the police. All day long, police practiced a strict control in Vushtrri. A police squad went to Svaraçak i Poshtëm in order to provoke the Albanian citizens. In Vushtrri, police arrested the following cigarette vendors: Rrustem and Berat Mehmeti, Aziz Kolla and two others named Enver and Hysni.
KLINA: All day long, Serb police and military forces in cooperation with the locals, looted timber from the woods belonging to the Albanians and transported them in lorries.
PRIZREN: Two armoured cars with 50-60 soldiers were stationed in the vicinity of the Landovica bridge.
LIPJAN: The lessons have not yet begun in the primary school in Magura, where Serb police forces have been stationed for months. They looted and demolished the school inventory estimated to DM 80.000.
SHTIME: A military convoy left Shtime and headed towards Suhareka. Police forces in armoured cars opened fire towards Belinca. There are no information about any casualties, but excessive material losses were caused. The villagers began fleeing their houses due to fear.

DECEMBER 23:

PODUJEVA: Police forces stationed at the "Besiana" motel, Qershitë e Llapashticës and near the Tile Factory, are checking the identities of the passers-by. Serb snipers were stationed in several houses and are opening fire towards the inhabitants of the near-by houses.
PRIZREN: The village of Romaja near Has was surrounded by Serb police and military forces. These forces in 9 lorries and 4 armoured cars were stationed near the village cemetery. The Serb compulsory forces cut off the electricity to the villages of Romaja, Lugishta and Kushnin. One third of the population has fled due to the fear from the repression of Serb forces.
PRISHTINA: Police forces in 6 buses, 4 lorries, 2 APCs, 2 jeeps and 2 other vehicles arrived from Serbia to Kosova.
MITROVICA: Large police forces were concentrated in different parts of the town and are checking cars and passers-by. About 20 Serb policemen, for the second time during the day, searched for weapons at the house of Shemsi Fejzullah Balinca (33) and arrested Daut Mehmet Rrahmani (24). Dragan Djuriq, a policeman, beat and threatened Shemsi's wife Halise (29) and left an order for her husband to report to the police station. In "Bair" quarter, the same policemen raided the house of Muhamet Nezir Tahiri (33) from Stantërg and arrested him. Over 40 policemen and security inspectors raided the house of Ismet Deliqi in "Bair" quarter and searched for his son Fadil (34). They raided the house of Sali Çubreli and arrested brothers Fejzullah (29), Ardian (26) and Destan Haxhi Rreci (19) from Llausha near Skënderaj, who were sheltered. In the evening, 10 Serb policemen stopped and severely ill-treated Besnik Ismet Sejdiu (19), "Qendra" quarter.
SKËNDERAJ: Large police, military and paramilitary forces wearing black uniforms were stationed at the Ammunition Plant.
GLLOGOC: In Gjergjica, police physically ill-treated Dan Abaz Gashi and Sinan Istref Gashi - both from Llapushnik. DM 1250 were looted from them.
SUHAREKA: After 8.00 a.m., a military convoy of 9 lorries, 8 jeeps and 3 armoured cars passed through the center of the town and headed towards Prizren.
SHTIME: The situation is very tense. Serb forces have arrested Dr. Bedri Sadriu, a physician with the "Mother Theresa" Humanitarian & Charitable Association, Xhemshir Reshiti, a teacher, and Nazmi Shahini, an activist of the LDK. Many were arrested in Reçak, too.
GJAKOVA: In the village of Madanaj, police searched for weapons at the house of Tomë Gjoklaj, an activist with the "Mother Theresa" Humanitarian & Charitable Association. He was arrested and severely ill-treated.

DECEMBER 24:

PODUJEVA: At about 9.00 a.m., large police, military and paramilitary forces in over 100 tanks, armoured cars and APCs launched an attack on the villages of Llapashtica e Poshtme, Llapashtica e Epërme, Obranqa, Gllamnik, Burica, Konushevc and Lluzhan. The detonations were heard in Vushtrria. All the roads leading to Podujeva were blocked by large police forces. Serb snipers were stationed on top of the high buildings. The situation in Podujeva is very tense. The schools have stopped working. At 9.30 a.m., Serb snipers in the village of Sekiraça killed Behxhet Ramiz Maçani (30) from Podujeva, a worker at the gas station in Podujeva. Later on, policemen opened fire on the bus of the "Mentori Tours" Travel Agency. Daut Mustafa, the driver, was wounded. At 1 p.m., the intensity of the shelling increased.
Due to the heavy clashes the villagers of Llapashtica e Epërme, Llapashtica e Poshtme, Obrança, Konushevc, Burica and Penuh are fleeing their homes. Serbian forces are opening machine gun fire towards the houses in the suburbs of the town. The houses of Isak and Adem Buçaj, in the vicinity of the police check-point at the "Besiana" Motel, were hit. According to eyewitnesses, 12 members of the Duriqi family in the village of Obrança were kidnapped by Serb paramilitaries. They were taken to the Tile Factory. The streets of Podujeva are empty and all the shops are closed. Police check-points were set-up in Shtedim and Lluzhan. Some 200 Serb policemen with more than 20 vehicles were concentrated at the Tile Factory in Podujeva.
DEÇAN: Large police forces surrounded the villages of Gllogjan, Shaptej, Dubrava, Baballoç and Gramaçel. 2 trucks full of policemen went through the villages of Gramaçel and Shaptej and headed towards Gllogjan. Many houses were burned, including the house of Ramush Haradinaj. In Deçan, police arrested Valon Zymer Zukaj (18) from the village of Beleg.
PEJA: The Serbian run District Court in Peja initiated the investigative proceedings against the following: Agron Ibrahim Kollçaku (1972), Izet Sadik Sejfija (1961), Behar Adem Bajri (1980), mentally disturbed, Ardian Adem Nikçi (1978) and Nazmi H. Shala (22) - from Peja; Beqir Tahir Loxhaj (1971), Xhevdet Ramë Bajrami (1977) and Vllaznim Brahim Përgjegjaj (1979) - from Vitomirica, Gazmend Sinan Bajrami (1987) from Peja and Sadik Qaush Mulaj (1985) from Lloçan.
The following were taken to the prison in Peja: brothers Rasim (1965) and Njazi Jahë Isufaj (1969), Lan Metë Isufaj (1968) and Brahë Ali Beqiri (1976) - from Gllogjan and Ylfet Sadri Hajdari (1951) and Lan Haki Metaj (1966) -from Baballoç.
MITROVICA: A group of 20 Serb policemen searched for Shemsi Fejzullah Balinca (33). They raided the house of Mehmet Isuf Rrahmani (57) and searched for his son Nuhi (27). Some 100 Serb policemen surrounded the "Bair" quarter. They raided the house of Imer Tafil Hasani (47) and demolished the furniture. Tafil was arrested. A hunting gun (with a regularly issued permit) was seized. Police raided the house of Isuf Brahim Gruda (65). His son Arsim (16) was beaten in the presence of his family members. His other son Bekim (27) was arrested. Police searched for brothers Nexhmedin (43) and Abedin Salih Sadiku (29). Nexhmedin was arrested whereas, Abedin was beaten in the presence of his family members.
SUHAREKA: 3 military vehicles and a bus full of soldiers paraded through the town and headed towards Prizren. Serb soldiers opened fire towards Ymer Avdi Gashi, who was on his way to Luzhnica. Many Albanians are provoked and physically ill-treated at the police check-point in Reshtan and in the vicinity of the police station in Suhareka. Rrahim Baftiu (16) from Bukosh was among the ill-treated. At midnight, a group of civilians stopped Rifat Morina (1941) from Reshtan, Brahim Bytyçi (1953) from Semetisht and Blerim Eqrem Kuqi (1975) from Suhareka. They were beaten until they fainted. At noon, Naim Ismet Grulaj (30) from Peqan was brutally beaten.
PRIZREN: A military convoy of 3 trucks and one APC was stationed at the primary school in Vërnica. In the village of Pirana, Serb soldiers demolished the "Hasi Petrol" gas station owned by Milaim Hyseni.
FERIZAJ: A police convoy consisting of 7 trucks and 2 jeeps headed towards Prishtina.
PRISHTINA: Serbian police physically ill-treated Behxhet Shala. He was detained until 2.30 a.m.
GJAKOVA: Ilaz Daija, principal with the "Mustafa Bakia" Primary School, was taken for informative talks.
GLLOGOC: Agim Hamzë Krasniqi (45) from Komoran was severely ill-treated at the police check-point in Krivova. Due to injuries suffered he had to seek for medical help.
OBILIQ: After midnight, a Serb convoy (5 armoured cars, 7 APCs an other police and military vehicles) was stationed at the military barracks in Pomozitin.
KLINA: A group of Serbs is ill-treating the Albanian pupils of the "Motrat Qiriazi" Primary School.

DECEMBER 25:

PODUJEVA: Serb forces have not withdrawn from their positions. These forces are still stationed at the place called Tabet e Llapashtices. Sporadic shooting can be heard. The town itself is blocked by the Serb forces. Snipers are still located on top of the high buildings. There is no movement through the streets of the town. Serb forces have machine gunned the houses along the road between Lluzhan and Podujeva. The family members of Bahtir Kastrati (57), living in the Duriqi quarter in Obrança, who had been kidnapped by Serb paramilitaries, were released and sheltered at their relatives in Podujeva. Bahtir was severely ill-treated. MITROVICA: In the vicinity of the "Kaltrina" Policlinic, 5 policemen stopped and checked the identities of: Ismail Bajram Smakiqi, secretary of the Sub-CDHRF in Mitrovica, Ramadan Hasan Kelmendi (44), Bajram Bejtë Mustafa (40) and Bahri Osmani, activists of the LDK. In the "Ura e Gjakut" quarter, some 20 Serb policemen surrounded, raided and demolished the house of Nexhat Halil Çubreli (30). In the "Tavnik" quarter, some 20 Serb policemen, who were led by Dejan Saviq, raided and demolished the houses of the following: Nebih Kadri Zeqiri (47), Safet Bektesh Selmani (35) and Hysen Ramadan Doberlluka (65). Nebih Kadri Zeqiri (47) and Hazir Bektesh Selmani (35) were arrested. Police searched for Çakë Bektesh Selmani (24) and Shefqet Hysen Doberlluka (40). Gazmend Sadri Barani (19) from Klina e Epërme near Skënderaj, sheltered in Mitrovica, was severely ill-treated. Ragip Ali Pllana (18) and Nazmi Daut Pllana (43) from Frashër i Madh were beaten by the police.
FUSHË-KOSOVA: Ahmet Berisha (67) from the village of Graboc i Epërm was threatened to leave his house. The house had previously been looted and demolished by the very same forces.
PRISHTINA: At midnight, Serb forces opened fire towards the house of Hajrush Sylejman Abdullahu. The offices of an LDK branch are located in this house.

DECEMBER 26:

PODUJEVA: Large police forces were stationed in different parts of the town and are ill-treating passers-by. Military forces equipped with heavy weaponry were stationed in the premises of the Tile Factory. A convoy consisting of many armoured cars headed towards the village of Obrança. The moment they entered the village they started shooting in different directions. The villagers of Obrança and many inhabitants of Podujeva have fled their houses. The pupils of the "Dituria" Primary School in Llapashtica e Epërme were sheltered in Zhegrova and Majac. 4 policemen in a "Toyota" car PR-676-79 distributed weapons to Serb civilians in Podujeva.
PRISHTINA: A vehicle of a Norwegian Humanitarian Organization was damaged in a blast in the "Aktash" quarter. The blast was very strong, yet no casualties were reported. The perpetrators and the pretext are unknown. Large police forces surrounded the E/31 building in "Ulpiana". Several flats were raided and 4 students from Podujeva were arrested.
PRIZREN: A military unit with 2 armoured cars was stationed at the gas station in the vicinity of Piran. The building was demolished. The investigative judge with the Serbian run District Court in Prizren sent Sami Nuhi Berisha (1967) from the village of Lez near Prizren to 30 days of pre-trial detention. While being investigated Sami was severely tortured in the premises of the State Security. PEJA: Under the pretext of searching for weapons, a police squad surrounded the Elezaj and Gjuraj quarters in Peja. Mehmet Gjuraj (60) and Besim Gjuraj (43), a teacher, were physically ill-treated. Skënder Demaj, chairman of the LDK branch in Peja, and Fadil Gjuraj, an activist of the LDK, were arrested. Large Serb forces blocked the center of the town. Many passers-by were ill-treated. Market inspectors looted goods estimated to DM 50.000 from Albanian merchants.
MITROVICA: In the "Ura e Gjakut" quarter, police raided the house of Skënder Feriz Meha (37). In the "Tavnik" quarter, police raided the houses of the following: Skënder Rifat Hasani (50) (police searched for his sons Bashkim (24) and Sami (19)), and Rizah Rrahim Meha (68) (his daughter Vjollca (30), a teacher, was arrested). In the "Qendra" quarter, police raided the house of Zenë Qazim Mengjolli (42) and that of Osman Kadri Mecini (52) from Klina e Epërme near Skënderaj. Police stopped, provoked and threatened Halit Barani (47), chairman of the Sub-CDHRF in Mitrovica. The following policemen participated in the action: Ratko Antonijeviq from "Tavnik", Nenad Paviqeviq from "Qendra" and Dejan Saviq from Gojbula near Vushtrria.

DECEMBER 27:

PODUJEVA: Serbian police and military forces accompanied by tanks, armoured cars and APCs attacked the villages of Obrança and Llapashtica. The shelling and the machine gun fire continued for more than 2 hours. Serb military forces were reinforced by a military convoy from Prishtina. There was heavy shelling from Tabet e Llapashtices, the Serb positions near the "Besiana" Motel and the Tile Factory. OSCE verifiers are supervising the situation. The Serb forces stationed at the "Besiana" Motel opened machine gun fire towards the houses of Isak, Ramë and Adem Buçaj; Osman, Shefki and Ramë Visoka, as well as several houses in the Buçaj and Visokaj quarters in Podujeva.
The Albanians from the attacked villages of Obrança, Llapashtica, Gllamnik, Sekiraça, Burica, Konushec, Katunishta and 2 quarters in Podujeva are fleeing their houses. The situation of the displaced villagers is very grave due to the cold weather. Many Serb civilians are leaving the region too. They are escorted by the police forces towards the "Besiana" Motel.
Remzi Demolli, a teacher, was severely wounded in the village of Obrança. His life is in danger due to the lack of medical assistance. During the last 2 days of the Serbian offensive the following were wounded: Abetare (6) and Besime Bejtush Avdullahu (13) and Fatime Avdullahu (35) from Gremnik, Fadil Hakiqi (37) from Llapashtica and Ahmet Ahmeti (35) from Podujeva. The number of the killed and wounded can be higher.
MITROVICA: In the "Tavnik" quarter, police searched for weapons at the houses of the following: Dibran Halil Shala (60) (his son Kadri (17) was arrested), Ismet Kamer Qerimi (50) (Fazli Topalli (27) from Vitak near Skënderaj was arrested), that of Osman Haxha (43) and that of Muharrem Dibran Avdiu (45). At the bus station, police arrested Ramë Haxha (38), an employee with the very same.
GJAKOVA: On December 24, Nikë Markaj (75) and Zojë Markaj (46) from Osek-Pasha were arrested and severely ill-treated under the pretext that they had brought SFr 170.000 for the KLA. Both were released today. Police seized Zoja's passport with a C visa and ordered her to report again on January 5.
PRISHTINA: There was shooting in the "Aktash II" quarter. Today, at about 4 a.m., unidentified persons opened fire towards the house of Miftar Bërbatovci. Material damage was caused.
KLINA: During the last 2 days, Serbian forces shelled the Myrtaj quarter in Jashanica. Sniper fire was opened in Sverka, Gllareva and Dollova.
GLLOGOC: During the last 2 weeks several villages in the district of Gllogoc were left without electric power. Pensioners did not receive their pensions.

DELAYED INFORMATION:

RAHOVEC: On December 13, Hidajet Iska (1976), a farmer, was physically ill-treated by the police in the outskirts of the town.
VUSHTRRI: On December 15, Driton Shaqiri (25) from Pantina was brutally beaten by the police in the outskirts of Vushtrria. Due to the injuries suffered Driton had to seek for medical help.
KLINA: On December 15, the guards of the Serb prisons in Peja and Dubrava near Istog prevented family members from visiting Gani Ahmetgjekaj from Rudica and Kadri and Beqir Kuqaj from Gremnik.
HANI I ELEZIT: On December 16, police arrested Sabedin Hasallari (1970).
GLLOGOC: On August 5, Kastriot Krasniqi (1975) from the village of Tërpeza was arrested in Lipjan. He was sent to 2 months of pre-trial detention, physically tortured, insulted on a national basis and threatened. Later on, he was released in a very bad health condition.

NOTICE: The houses of the following were looted, burned and destroyed: Avdi, Kadri, Xhelil, Xhemajl, Sefer, Adem, Muharrem and Veli Gashi and Qazim, Rrahim, Ali, Ilmi, Salih, Hajriz and Sheqë Dobra - all from Vërboc - Gllogoc (on September 22-23).
 
Prishtina, December 27, 1998
Information Servic