REPORT NO. 453
        ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION
         AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
           BY THE SERBIAN POLICE AND
           OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
           FROM  JANUARY 1
           UNTIL  JANUARY 10, 1999

REPORT No. 453

ON THE VIOLATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN KOSOVA FROM JANUARY 1 UNTIL JANUARY 10, 1999

Killings, mutilations, violent deaths...

On January 2, at about 10 p.m., Enver Tefik Gashi (1960) from Shtime was killed in the vicinity of his house. He was killed by unidentified persons who spoke Serbian.
On January 2, the corpse of Veton Zymer Kelmendi (27) from the village of Pavlan near Peja was found in the village of Gllaviçica. He was killed under unknown circumstances.
On January 2, the corpses of Gojko Jeftiq from Suhodoll and Dragi Kovaçeviq from Mitrovica were found in the vicinity of the Romany neighbourhood in Mitrovica. The two were killed by fire arms under unknown circumstances.
On January 3, at about 10 p.m., Xhavit Jusufi (45), a KLA officer from the village of Vidishiq near Mitrovica, was killed in an ambush at the place called "Varrët e Smrekonicës". Another officer of the KLA was wounded.
On January 4, the new-born-baby of Milaim Kastrati from the village of Turjaka near Malisheva died due to the lack of medical assistance.
On January 4, at about 10.30 p.m., Bekim Sali Miftari (1973) from Sadovina e Jerlive and Qerim Rrahmani (33) from the village of Vërban near Vitia were killed by unidentified persons at their working place at the "Burimi" gas station.
On January 6, Nebojsha Deniq (1964) from the village of Preoc was killed under unknown circumstances at the Open Pit Mines in Bardhi i Madh.
On January 7, the corpse of Blerim Avdi Balaj (1972), a student from the village of Strellc near Deçan, was found in the vicinity of the gas station in Strellc. A day before, Blerim was kidnapped by unidentified persons. He was kidnapped in front of his house in the Balaj quarter.
On January 8, the following policemen were killed in Qafa e Duhlës: Milosh Stevanoviq (1970) from Suhareka, Dragan Tomasheviq (1968) from Varvarin and Goran Boshkoviq (1972) from Brus. Policemen Nebojsha Andrejeviq (1977) and Zoran Taskoviq (1972) from Suhareka, Jovica Saviq (1970) from Pirot and Dejan Stojanoviq (1974) from Varvarin were wounded. Muhamet Bafti Jasharaj (49), a taxi driver from Sopia, and Gani Sadri Ahmetaj (56) from Korisha near Prizren were wounded too.
On January 8, in the village of Sekiraça, a woman from the village of Lupç i Epërm was run over by a bus full of Serb soldiers. The woman died due to the injuries suffered.
On January 9, Kujtesa Selman Bytyçi (6) from Sllapuzhan and Osman Nezir Bytyçi (65) from Sallagrazhda died. The two had been wounded a day before. The very same day, the corpse of Feim Garip Badallaj (1968) from Sallagrazhda was found.
On January 9, 3 Albanians were killed during the attack of the Serbian forces on the villages of Ratisha, Dashinoc, Shaptej, Gllogjan and Maznik.
On January 9, Rifat Kadri Blakaj (1970) was buried in the village of Trubuhoc near Istog. Rifat was killed under unknown circumstances. His corpse was found by the Serbian police in the village of Drenoc near Klina on January 8. The victim was last seen on January 7, while riding his bicycle towards Istog. There were signs of violence on the corpse.
On January 9, unidentified persons from a "Zastava 101" car opened fire on 3 Albanian youngsters in the village of Bibaj. Faruk Hazir Murseli (20) was killed whereas, Sedat Selimi (20) was wounded.
On January 10, Besnik Xhafer Ademi (15) from the village of Bradash near Podujeva died. A day before, he was wounded by Serb snipers in the village of Obrança.
On January 6, the Sub-CDHRF in Istog informed that the names of the following are to be added to the list of those killed in the course of 1998: Nazmi Mzizaj (killed on July 17, on the border with Albania); Mirsad Zenel Idrizaj (killed on July 27, in the village of Gllogjan near Deçan); Isuf Sadikaj (killed on July 29, in the village of Padalishta near Skënderaj); and Bajram Binak Alijaj (killed in July, in the village of Uça near Istog).

Kidnappings and involuntary disappearances

There are no information on the whereabouts of the following: Mirosllav Shuleniq (1969) from Videja-Klinë (since May 21); Arben Demaj from Vrella and Imer Osmanaj from Istog (since July 18); Muharrem Damjani (1955), a taxi driver from Gjakova (since September 30); Shpejtim Bobi (20) from Lybeniq-Pejë (since August); Afrim Gashi (23) from Shtutica-Gllogoc (since the end of December); Refet Rifat Godeni (23), Zyrafete Rifat Godeni (21) and Selman Nuhë Ademaj (50) from Petrova-Shtime (since January 7, 1999).

Trials...

On January 5, the Serbian run District Court in Prizren sentenced Ruzhdi Shabani (22) from Suhareka and Refik Kabashi (32) from the village of Zoqishta near Rahovec to 2 years of imprisonment each. They faced charges for "hostile activity".
On January 5, the Serbian run District Court in Prishtina sentenced Musli Avdyli from Pleshina and Misin Rexha from Nerodima e Epërme (Ferizaj) to 2 years of imprisonment each. They were accused for "hostile activity".

THE COURSE OF EVENTS:

JANUARY 1:

MITROVICA: In the village of Babimoc (Obiliq) armed Serb civilians stopped the car driven by Shaqir Halil Gjosha (41) from the village of Vaganica e Epërme near Mitrovica. He and his children Teuta (16) and Muhamet (15) were taken out of the car and insulted on a national basis. DM 1500 and DIN 220 were looted from them.
VUSHTRRI: In the center of the town police stopped and physically ill-treated Bekim Maloku from Vushtrria and other passers-by.

JANUARY 2:

PODUJEVA: During the day, there were large movements of the Serbian police forces in the town of Podujeva. Police patrols checked cars and passers-by. The police stations in Podujeva, Lluzhan, Kërpimeh and Orllan were reinforced with policemen and armoured vehicles. A mobile check-point was set-up in the vicinity of the place called "Qershitë e Llapashticës". 40 tanks and 20 vehicles were stationed at "Tabet e Llapashticës" and at the airport in Dumosh. At about 3 p.m., Serb military forces opened machine gun fire towards Llapashtica.
ISTOG: On the road between Istog and Vrella, 4 policemen stopped and severely ill-treated Bic Sadikaj and Bedri Idriz Osmanaj from Kaliçan. Bedri suffered severe injuries.
FERIZAJ: While searching for a man of the Baliu family from Jezerc, police arrested Gëzim and Bekim Baliu. Later on, they were released but were left orders to report again.

JANUARY 3:

ZHUR: A group of 30 Serb soldiers who were accompanied by a tank surrounded the house of Refki Reshit Susuri (1948). Refki was taken to the basement of a nearby house and severely ill-treated. Serb soldiers and policemen raided and demolished the houses of brothers Avni, Hamzë, Reshit and Nafi Susuri. They were ill-treated and arrested. Due to insecurity, some 1000 inhabitants of the "Lagja e Re" quarter in Zhur fled their houses.
MITROVICA: In the "2 Korriku" quarter, more than 40 Serb policemen searched for weapons and demolished the houses of Ahmet, Nazmi (36), Deli (32) and Fahri Isa (20); Muhamet (30), Remzi (24) and Shemsi Sadri Shala (21); Jashar (30), Esat (26) and Sedat Dilshat Prebreza (24); Orhan (35) and Burhan Ali Prebreza (32); Xhafer (60) and Selim Cenë Deliu (55); Afrim Selim Deliu (25); Xhemë Fazli Avdyli (60); Ramadan Preteni (63); Zukë Hasan Dojqi (24); Gani Shaban Shala (37); Abedin Pushkolli (50); Adem Bilall Atashi (42) and Nevzat Latif Ademi (30). They were all arrested and detained for more than 5 hours. Between 5 p.m. and midnight, there was shooting in the "Kroi i Vitakut" and "7 Shtatori" quarters.
GJAKOVA: In the vicinity of Klina, on the cross-road between Peja-Prishtina and Gjakova, Serb policemen stopped, threatened, insulted and brutally beat teachers Sinan Hajdari (1959), "Hysni Zajmi" st. 51, and Jeton Gjoci (1961), "F. Ramadani" st. 15.
VUSHTRRI: Ramadan Ukaj (50), a teacher with the "Marin Beçikemi" Secondary School in Vushtrria, and 20 inhabitants of the "2 Korriku" quarter were arrested and taken for informative talks for more than 5 hours.
PRISHTINA: During the last 2 days, Besnik Berisha, a student of the Faculty of Philology, was severely ill-treated by the police.

JANUARY 4:

MITROVICA: Groups of Serb policemen were stationed in the vicinity of the bus station, the policlinic of the "Mother Theresa" Humanitarian & Charitable Association, the offices of the UNHCR and of the Verification Mission, in the village of Zhabar i Epërm, etc. 8 cars, 2 jeeps and 2 APCs full of policemen and 3 cars full of police inspectors headed towards the village of Zhabar. In Zhabar i Epërm, they raided the houses of Ilmi (44), Bedri (38) and Afrim Tahir Ferati (35) as well as that of Mursel Kadri Ahmeti (50), a teacher with the "A. Sylejmani" Primary School and activist of the LDK. Ilmi T. Ferati was arrested. A police convoy from Vushtrria arrived in Mitrovica. 10 policemen were stationed in Suhodoll.
Serb policemen raided the houses of the following: in the "Qendra" quarter that of Agim Mehmet Hajrizi (37) and in the "Tavnik" quarter those of Sahit Haradin Parduzi (44) and Sherif Azem Hajzeri (70). The house of the latter was demolished and DM 1000 were looted. In the village of Shipol, Serb policemen raided and demolished the houses of Brahim Ahmet Tmava (55) and Avdyl Azem Tmava (38). In the "Tavnik" quarter, 20 policemen raided the house of Halit Rushit Barani (47), chairman of the Sub-CDHRF in Mitrovica. Many materials of the Sub-CDHRF were seized. In the very same quarter, some 40 policemen and armed Serb civilians raided the houses of Nezir (70), Sejdi (55) and Haradin Rrahim Ferati (53); Vehbi Avdi Fazliu (40), Hasan Hyl Hasani (55), Sali Sinan Hajzeri (65) and Hasan Latif Hajzeri (40). The latter was beaten. His son Faton (14) was threatened with a gun.
VUSHTRRI: A truck and a jeep full of policemen went to Smrekonica. On surveying the terrain they headed towards Vushtrria. In the vicinity of the prison in Smrekonica, Serb policemen opened fire towards the car of Ragip (33) and Xhavit Sadiku (39). The 2 were arrested and taken to the Security Center in Mitrovica. On being interrogated they were released. Automatic fire was heard in the vicinity of the "Mustafë Venhari" Primary School.
ZHUR: 10 policemen went to the house yard of Rizah Ademaj in the Ademaj quarter in Zhur. His family members were threatened.
SUHAREKA: Serb policemen arrested Muhamet Adem Krasniqi from the village of Savrova. At the police check-point in Reshtan, Agron Mahmut Bytyçi (22), a student from Kasterc, and Xhemajl Amrush Bytyçi (50) from Nishor were taken out of the bus travelling between Nishor and Suhareka and arrested.
PRIZREN: In Krusha e Vogël, the following were stopped and arrested by the police: Muharrem Adem Grulaj (1960), Rexhep Kamer Bardheci (1961) and Durak Hamit Thaçi (1961) from the village of Zojz; Qemal Hamzë Bytyçi (1955) from Pirana and Bajram Shala from Krusha e Madhe (Rahovec). They were taken to the police station in Prizren and physically ill-treated. They were released but ordered to report again.
KLINA: Serb policemen are preventing physicians from offering medical assistance to Misin M. Zenunaj from Gremnik. Misin was brutally beaten by the police on December 29.

JANUARY 5:

PRISHTINA: An explosive device was thrown on the "007" cafe. According to Serb sources the following were wounded: Aleksandar Milintijeviq (16), Dragan Ratkoviq (34), Gjorgje Vujoviq (17) and Marjana Iliq (15). Later on, a group of armed Serb civilians attacked the nearby Albanian cafes. Windows were broken and the inventory was demolished. Many guests were beaten. Police did not intervene. The worse hit were the "Mrika", "Morena", "Queens" and "Eris" cafes. The following students were among the ill-treated: Avni Abazaj (1976) from the village of Jabllanica and Xhemë Nuredini from Smira near Vitia.
MITROVICA: Large police forces (accompanied by armoured cars) were stationed on all the cross-roads and the outskirts of the town, in Shipol, in Zhabar i Poshtëm and Zhabar i Epërm, and along the roads to Skënderaj and Zubin Potok. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at the place called "Tuneli i Parë", 4 policemen stopped and ill-treated many passers-by. The following were among the ill-treated: Latif Berisha (62), chairman of the LDK branch in Mitrovica, Faruk Brahim Spahiu (46), member of the LDK board, Latif Jashari (52), vice-chairman of the branch of the Republican Party in Mitrovica, Hysni Nail Syla (48), reporter of the "Kosova Sot" daily, Adem Beqiri (48) and Shyqyri Vesel Kelmendi (52), activists of the LKD, as well as Behxhet Osmani (40) from the village of Bare. In the "Ura e Gjakut" quarter, some 25 Serb policemen searched for weapons at the houses of Osman (51) and Skënder Mujë Skënderi (44) as well as that of Bajram Hajriz Skënderi (74). In the village of Shipol, 15 Serb policemen raided the house of Avdyl Hysen Muzliukaj (62). They searched for his son Arsim (30). Avdyl was taken for informative talks. In the very same village, some 60 Serb policemen (3 APCs and 9 police cars) raided and demolished the house of Lam Cen Kurti (60). As Lam was not home, his children Muharrem (18), Sebahate (16) and Resmije Kurti (14) were physically ill-treated in the presence of other family members. They were arrested. Family photos were seized. On being physically ill-treated the girls were released whereas, Muharrem is still being kept in detention. In Shipol, some 30 policemen and armed Serb civilians searched for weapons at the house of Bashkim Asllan Morina (30). In the vicinity of the water reservoir, Serb policemen stopped a "Lada" car and arrested 2 persons. In the vicinity of the military barracks in Vushtrria, Serb policemen physically ill-treated Shefik Kurtesh Kurteshi (26) from the village of Bare near Mitrovica.
There was shooting in different parts of the town, especially in the "Kroi i Vitakut", "Ibri", "7 Shtatori" and "Tavnik" quarters; in the villages of Frashër i Madh and Frashër i Vogël, Suhodoll and Zveçan i Vogël as well as from the military basis in Kutllovc.
PODUJEVA: Serb policemen stationed at all the cross-roads of the town are checking the identities of passers-by. 2 trucks, 2 buses and an armoured car full of soldiers headed towards the region of Llap. 5 tanks left the military basis in the vicinity of the airport in Dumosh and headed towards Podujeva. They were stationed at the place called "Tabet e Llapashticës". Later on, they returned to their basis. 7 APCs and an armoured car full of Serb policemen headed towards Kërpimeh. Later on, these forces returned and paraded through Podujeva. Serb forces were stationed in the yard of the "Besiana" Motel, and at the police stations in Podujeva and Lluzhan. A mobile check-point is moving along the road Qërshitë e Llapashticës-Podujeva.
PRIZREN: The situation in the villages on the border with Albania continues to be very grave due to the large presence of the Serbian forces. The gravest situation is in the villages of Lez and Jeshkova. In the "Ortakolli" quarter in Prizren, Serb policemen stopped Sadik Tasim Çallopeku (46), vice-director of the "Abdyl Frashëri" Primary School. He was taken to the police station and is still in detention. Xhemail S. Sallauka (32) from the village of Budakova-Suhareka (who was arrested on December 31) is still being kept in detention.
ZHUR: Serb soldiers severely ill-treated brothers Avni, Hamzë and Refik Susuri, a father of 8. The latter is in a very grave health condition. The above mentioned were ill-treated in the presence of their family members.
GJAKOVA: Last night, police intervened in all the Albanian cafes in Gjakova. More than 30 Albanian youngsters were arrested and taken to the police station in Gjakova. Most of the detained were physically ill-treated. Some 15 Serb policemen, who were led by Marjan Abazi, raided the house of Ramë Reka. His son Lulzim and his friend Haziz Jakupi from Osek-Hyla were arrested. At the local police station in Gjakova, Haziz was physically ill-treated as he refused to cooperate with the Serb authorities.
ISTOG: 5 policemen surrounded the house of Qerim Shatri from Tomoc. He was accused of sheltering displaced families. Policemen opened fire towards his son-in-law Rasim Rexha from the village of Dobrosh near Gjakova. Rasim was wounded on his legs and was taken to the police stations in Gurakoc and Istog. Later on, he was taken to the hospital in Peja. Zymer Budaj from Vrella was taken for informative talks. He was ordered to report to the police station in Peja.
OBILIQ: At 10.30 a.m., 2 armoured cars full of Serb policemen cruised along the road between Obiliq-Plemetin. At the cross-road between Bakshi-Raskova and Besia, policemen are ill-treating passers-by. Serb forces stationed at the place called "Kërshat e Grabocit" opened fire towards the Albanian villages. In Dardhishta, police is ill-treating passers-by.
VUSHTRRI: 2 trucks and an armoured car full of Serb policemen left Vushtrria and headed towards the villages on the other side of Sitnica. At the check-point in the vicinity of "Ura e Gurit", police stopped the bus travelling between Dubovc and Vushtrria. 2 passengers from the region of Drenica were taken out of the bus.
SHTIME: Agim Hajredin Gashi (19) from Shtime and his fiance from the village of Petrova were arrested in the center of the town and taken to the police station in Ferizaj.
SKËNDERAJ: In the village of Klina e Epërme, Jetullah Hajriz Behrami (40) from Kotorr, a teacher with the "Idriz Barani" Primary School, was stopped and arrested by the police.
GLLOGOC: Serb forces stationed at the cross-road in Komoran and in the vicinity of the poultry farm in Krivova are stopping and ill-treating Albanian passers-by.
KLINA: Policemen and armed Serb civilians burned the house of Sejdi Morina from Grabanica. The house had previously been looted during the Serb offensives.

JANUARY 6:

SKËNDERAJ: Serbian police and military forces stationed on the road between Skënderaj and Runik opened fire towards the village of Tërrnavc. In Skënderaj, police arrested Man Veliqi from Polac and Hajrullah Mecini from Klina e Mesme.
GLLOGOC: During the night, Serb forces opened machine gun fire towards the nearby villages.
MITROVICA: Since the early hours of the morning, automatic and machine gun fire could be heard from the military barracks in Mitrovica, the "Kroi i Vitakut", "2 Korriku", "7 Shtatori", "Ibri", "Kodra e Minatorëve" and the "Bair" quarters as well as the villages of Suhodoll, Koril, Frashër i Madh and Frashër i Vogël.
PEJA: Vezire Murat Demaj (1975) from the village of Shtupel near Klina was wounded under unknown circumstances. For the last few months she has been living in the "Dardania II" quarter. In the vicinity of Dubovik, Bajrush Ramë Krasniqi (46) from the village of Vranoc was physically ill-treated by the police. Bajrush was ill-treated in the presence of his family members and suffered severe injuries. In the vicinity of the "Asdreni" Primary School in Peja police raided the house of Halit Ramë Kapllanaj (42) from the village of Gllareva near Klina.
PODUJEVA: A military convoy (3 buses, 6 APCs and 2 armoured cars) headed towards Prishtina. Serb policemen stationed at Plant for the construction of the Metal Frameworks in Podujeva physically ill-treated passers-by. Serbian police and military forces stationed at the place called "Tabet e Llapashticës" looted the house and the car of Bajrush Murati in Llapashtica. Bajrush was killed on December 24.
VUSHTRRI: Since the early hours of the morning, there was shooting towards the villages of Okrashtica, Pantina and Oshlan. A military convoy cruised on the road between Mitrovica and Prishtina. A military convoy left the military barracks in Vushtrria and headed towards Mitrovica. In Vushtrria, Serb policemen are stopping and ill-treating passers-by. In the vicinity of Ura e Gurit, Serb policemen stopped the bus of the "Galica" Travel Agency and arrested Sami Halili (1972) from Dubovc (employed in Italy). In the vicinity of the "Vicianum" Motel, brothers Hashim, Halil and Muharrem Halili were severely ill-treated. Bujar Smakolli from Vushtrria was fined with DIN 600 for having talked to the representatives of the OSCE mission.
KLINA: Fire shots and strong detonations were heard from the Serb villages in the district of Klina. In the village of Shtupel, Serb civilians wounded Murat Jakupi. Murat was taken to hospital.
MALISHEVA: Between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m., Serb forces opened fire towards the Albanian villages.
PRIZREN: There was shooting between 2 and 6.30 a.m.
KAMENICA: In the evening, there was shooting in Kamenica and the villages inhabited by Serbs.
FUSHË-KOSOVA: At 9 a.m., 4 policemen and 3 police inspectors went to the offices of the Financing District Council. Jakup Tërnava was left a summon to report to the police station.
ISTOG: Since the early hours of the morning, there was shooting in the villages inhabited by Serbs. A large presence of the Serbian police forces can be noticed everywhere. Serb policemen stationed in Lubizhda severely ill-treated Mustafë Gjocaj from Tomoc, a teacher with the "Mithat Frashëri" Secondary School.
GJAKOVA: Hasan Gjiholli (40) from Skivjan and Sefedin Nuza (37) from Smolica (who were arrested on December 31); Halil Pajaziti (21) from Dobrosh and Pashk Prenk Quni (42) from Dolibara (who were arrested last week) as well as Hysen Beqiri (29) from Rracaj were taken to the County Jail in Peja.
PRISHTINA: Boban Marushiq, a Serb civilian living in the "Dardania" quarter, damaged 2 cars in front of his flat and fired several bullets in the air. In the "Lakrishte" quarter, Serb policemen physically ill-treated Rrahim M. Sadiku, a newsboy from the village of Gllamnik near Podujeva.
FERIZAJ: A police squad accompanied by 3 armoured cars and 2 APCs raided the house of Bedri Guta in the village of Rakaj. Bedri was arrested and so were Hysen and Selman Guta from Jezerc and Ahmet Avdiu from Firaja e Shtërpces. They were taken to the police station in Ferizaj and later on released. Isak Çeli from Pleshina e Poshtme was detained at the police station in Ferizaj and interrogated on the KLA and the Financing Council. On being physically ill-treated he was released but ordered to report again.

JANUARY 7:

PRISHTINA: Armed Serb civilians blocked all the roads to Prishtina. The main road between Prishtina and Shkupi was blocked in Çagllavica, Preoc, Llaplesella and in the vicinity of Lipjan. Armed Serb civilians from the village of Preoc blocked the road between Prishtina and Gjilan. Armed Serb civilians gathered in Çagllavica with the slogan "Let's free Prishtina". They were stopped by the police in Veternik, in the outskirts of Prishtina. In the village of Bresje near Fushë-Kosova, armed Serb civilians blocked the road towards Peja and Gjakova. The road between Prishtina and Mitrovica was blocked, too. In the villages of Shkabaj and Millosheva, armed Serb civilians ill-treated tens of Albanian citizens. On the road between Prishtina and Podujeva, Serb civilians, introducing themselves as Arkan's paramilitaries, stopped and beat Agim Pllashniku (1967) from the village of Prugoc near Prishtina, temporarily employed in Germany. They looted DM 200 from him. Due to the injuries suffered, he had to seek for medical assistance. Idriz Veseli and Shaban Neziri, workers with the "Beopetrol" gas station, were beat at the very same place. Vilfrid Gruber, the German Ambassador in Belgrade, was stopped at this place for more than two hours. In Millosheva, armed Serb civilians severely ill-treated Isuf Selmani from Barileva and his 77-year-old mother. His mobile phone, DIN 2200 and DM 100 were looted from him. They also took the spare tire from his car and threw it on fire. In Kishnica, Serb civilians demolished and looted the "Gresa" cafe, owned by Naim Gashi. (According to some claims, Serbs are ill-treating Albanians in revenge for the killing of Nebojsha Deniq from Preoc).
PODUJEVA: A police convoy comprised of a truck and 4 other vehicles, as well as a military convoy of 6 trucks and an armoured car headed towards Prishtina. There are large movements of the Serbian police forces, who are checking and ill-treating passers-by in the vicinity of Sekiraça.
MITROVICA: Asllan Destan Selimi from the village of Klinac near Klina is in detention in the prison of Mitrovica for 3 months now. He does not know anything on the whereabouts of his family. Two APCs full of policemen headed towards Stantërg. Automatic fire was heard in the "Ibri", "7 Shtatori" and "Kroi i Vitakut" quarters. A bullet hit the house of Muharrem Ramadan Zeqiri (40). Three policemen stopped Yll Mursel Zekaj (17) and severely ill-treated him as he had a book in Albanian with him. In the village of Millosheva, on the road between Mitrovica and Prishtina, 10 Serb civilians and 2 policemen stopped and beat Fehmi Arif Duraku (29) and Driton Arif Duraku (24) and broke their car. At the very same place, armed civilians stopped the bus of the "Shkëndija" travel agency, owned by Ahmet Ramë Brahimi (55) and Lulzim Murtez Brahimi (35) from Mitrovica, forced the passengers out and beat them with truncheons. In Millosheva, Serb civilians stopped Naser Sali Kolica (42), a goldsmith in Mitrovica, and beat him until he passed away. They damaged his car.
GJAKOVA: Yesterday, between the villages of Zhdrella and Rashkoc, police arrested Fadil Beqiraj and Agim Thaçi (19) from Skivjan, Haki Idrizi (35) from Ponoshec and Natyrë (21) and Afrore Rama (16) from Jabllanica - all displaced persons. Afrore was released, whereas, the others are still under arrest. The situation in Gërqina is very grave, where some tanks and 60 policemen have arrived. They are ill-treating the locals.
VUSHTRRI: Two unknown persons in a "Golf" car opened fire towards the gas station and the OSCE offices in Vushtrria.
FUSHË-KOSOVA: Armed Serb civilians blocked the road between Fushë-Kosova and Peja and are ill-treating passers-by. Last night, many shops owned by Albanians were demolished.
OBILIQ: Armed Serb civilians took out of the car Mexhit Berisha (22) from Mazgit and ill-treated him in the presence of his family. In Millosheva, police stopped a bus, forced out all the passengers and severely ill-treated Bedri S. Bllaca (21) from Stanovc i Poshtëm near Vushtrri. Due to injuries suffered, he had to seek for medical assistance.
GLLOGOC: At noon, a convoy comprised of 2 trucks, 4 APCs and a jeep full of Serb soldiers and policemen paraded through Komoran and provoked passers-by. They also opened automatic gun fire.
KAÇANIK: Large military forces were stationed in the villages of Glloboçica, Goranca and Shtraza and in the vicinity of the border with Albania. The freedom of movement was limited on the border zone and martial law was declared.
FERIZAJ: An explosive device was thrown in the shop of Sadush Jashari in the village of Doganaj and automatic gun fire was opened. Unknown persons broke the windows of Kadri Salihu's shop in Ferizaj.

JANUARY 8:

BELGRADE: Brian Donelly, the British Ambassador in Belgrade, was prevented by armed Serb civilians from continuing his way to Prishtina. So, he was forced to travel back to Shkup.
PODUJEVA: Large police and military forces paraded through the town and headed towards Bradash. A military convoy comprised of 6 tanks, 7 trucks full of soldiers and APCs from the military barracks in Lupç headed towards the villages of Lupç and Majac. 3 tanks were stationed in Lupç and at the "Castor" cafe, whereas a tank and an APC were stationed in Lluzhan. 30 tanks and other police and military vehicles headed towards Kërpimeh. Over 20 military vehicles were stationed in Llapashtica, whereas, a convoy of 50 military vehicles was stationed in downtown Podujeva. Large Serb forces were stationed in Peran. Serb forces stationed in the district of Podujeva opened fire towards the Albanian villages between 8.00 and 8.30 p.m.
PRISHTINA: The Serb Media Center informed that in the vicinity of Stantërg, 8 Serb soldiers were taken hostage by the KLA. The KLA informed that the prisoners had entered the region controlled by them and that "they had opened fire towards Albanian civilians".
Loud blasts were heard in the suburbs of Prishtina. Serb military forces patrolled through the streets of Prishtina between 8.00 p.m. and midnight. The quarters "Kodra e Diellit", "Aktash" and "Velania" were under the iron siege of the Serbian police and military forces. The roads between Prishtina and Lipjan and Lipjan and Shtime are still blocked. Roads leading to the villages in the district of Lipjan were blocked, too. The villages of Sllovia, Smallusha, Akllap, Plitkoviq, Vrella, Honrovc, Brus, Teqe, Shajkoc, Vërbica, Zhegoc, Banulla, Gllogoc near Lipjan, Llugaxhi, Gadime e Poshtme, Gadime e Epërme and Babush (mainly inhabited by Albanians) were isolated. A convoy of military tanks passed through Millosheva. Some of the tanks were stationed in Millosheva whereas, the others headed towards Mitrovica. Tanks, APCs and trucks were noticed heading from Raskova towards Podujeva. In Millosheva, armed Serb civilians stopped the bus owned by Xhevat Bekteshi (50) from Breznica and severely ill-treated him and his 2 sons Fatmir and Arben, as well as 25 Albanian passengers from Breznica and Stanovc. In the afternoon, they blocked this road and ill-treated tens of passers-by and demolished many Albanian cars. Albanian workers with the Kosova GE could not go to work due to the barricades of armed Serb civilians at the Hamidia bridge.
SUHAREKA: Fire shots were heard in the forests of Biraç. Suhareka is under the strict control of the Serbian police. There is no traffic towards Duhla. In Shiroka, armed Serb civilians are protesting and ill-treating Albanian passers-by. A convoy of armed Serb forces headed towards Peqan and Reshtan. 50 grenades were fired on the village of Sllapuzhan. Therefore, the inhabitants were forced to flee the village once again. Due to the shelling, the following were wounded: Kujtesa Selman Bytyçi (6), Bajram Zeqir Bytyçi (18), Osman Nezir Bytyçi (65), Fatime Qamil Elshani (60) and Zade Gashi-Bytyçi (55) from Sllapuzhan and Isak Fetah Hoxha (42) from Bllaca.
PRIZREN: The corpses of the 3 Serb policemen who were killed in Biraç near Suhareka were brought to the morgue of the Prizreni Hospital. Muhamet Bafti Jasharaj and Gani Sadri Ahmetaj, as well as 4 other policemen - all wounded, were taken to the Surgery Ward of the very same hospital. One of the policemen is in a critical condition. The hospital in under siege. In the "Tusus" quarter, police arrested Neritan Sallah Krasniqi (1975).
GLLOGOC: Serb forces opened fire towards the villages of Llapushnik and Berisha. 2 trucks and an APC headed towards the Llapushniku Gorge, whereas, a convoy of the Serb forces was seen cruising on the road between Komoran and Malisheva.
GJAKOVA: In the vicinity of Piskota, while on his way to work, Ramiz Bellanica (54), a member of the Board of the LDK branch in Gjakova, was stopped by 3 police inspectors and severely ill-treated. He suffered heavy injuries. Ramiz was given a piece of paper with a cross on it, with the warning: "If you continue with your dirty work and help the terrorists, you will be liquidated".
OBILIQ: Serb forces stationed in the "Kosova B" Power Plant, in the villages of Prilluzha, Babimoc, Millosheva, Palaj and Mazgit, as well as at the military barracks in Gazimestan opened fire. In Palaj and Hamidia, Serb police ill-treated tens of Albanian passers-by.
VUSHTRRI: Serb policemen stationed at the Ura e Gurit stopped and severely ill-treated Ahmet Halili (49) from Kozhica, a teacher with the "Dëshmorët e Çiçavicës" Primary School in the village of Qirez near Skënderaj. They tore the passport of Zeqir Shabani (75) from Kozhica and threatened him.
MITROVICA: At about 2.00 a.m., a group of Serbs threw stones on the house of Asllan Bajram Asllani (74) in the "Kroi i Vitakut" quarter.
KLINA: There were large movements of Serb police forces. Several armoured police cars were stationed in front of the police station in Klina.
FERIZAJ: Serb police blocked the village of Dremjak. A Serb policeman with a gun entered the house of Latif Shoshi in Ferizaj, checked the identities of and threatened the family members of Liman Maloku from Kashtanjeva near Shtërpca, who were temporarily sheltered there. They threatened a 16-year-old girl who did not have her ID card.

JANUARY 9:

MITROVICA: After the detention of 8 Serb soldiers, the situation in Mitrovica is very tense. The Serb army has presented an ultimatum to the KLA for their release. Large motorized police and military forces headed towards Stantërg. Large Serb forces were stationed in the village of Smrekonica near Vushtrria in the vicinity of the road to Shala e Bajgorës. 11 tanks and 3 trucks full of soldiers came from the direction of Prishtina and headed towards Stantërg. 15 tanks and 20 military vehicles were stationed along the road Stantërg-Mazhiq and at the military base in Kutllovc.
PODUJEVA: 30 buses full of policemen arrived in Kosova. Serb forces were stationed between the villages of Lluzhan and Vranidoll, at the place called "Qershitë e Llapashticës", at the Tile Factory and on the roads leading to Podujeva. A military convoy headed towards Kërpimeh. 10 APCs were stationed in downtown Podujeva. Police, military and paramilitary forces stationed in Peran shelled Bradash. There were fire shots towards the Albanian villages between 5.30 and 6.00 a.m. Serb forces attacked the villages of Gllamnik, Llapashtica, Katunishta, Bradash, Dobratin and Peran, as well as Podujeva itself. There were fierce clashes between Serb forces and the KLA in Llapashtica and Obrança. Due to the attack of Serb forces, Besnik Xhafer Ademi (15) from Bradash was wounded. Serb policemen stationed in the "Besiana" motel opened fire towards the houses of Shefki, Eroll, Osman and Agim Visoka, as well as that of Zymer Hoxha in the Visokaj quarter. In the evening, an armoured car and an APC went towards Peran. Llapashtica and its surroundings are on fire. The members of the OSCE KVM observed the events, but after a while, due to the danger, withdrew.
DEÇAN: Large police and military forces in 20 tanks attacked the villages of Ratisha e Epërme, Ratisha e Poshtme, Shaptej, Maznik, Gllogjan and Dashinoc.
GLLOGOC: A convoy comprised of 10 buses and several trucks full of Serb policemen headed towards Komoran. A part of it headed towards Llapushnik and the other part towards Peja and Malisheva.
SUHAREKA: Armed Serb civilians have blocked all the roads to Suhareka. Only police vehicles and Serb civilians can move in the streets. Detonations were heard in the town itself.
SHTIME: Many police and military vehicles (including tanks) were stationed at the place called "Pishat e Shtimes". Serb forces were also stationed at Kryqi i Belincit and Gryka e Carralevës. Many Albanian youngsters were arrested in the center of the town. Among those arrested is Daut Haxhi Gashi (28) from the village of Godanc i Poshtëm. He was taken to the police station in Shtime.
FERIZAJ: In the village of Llapnasella, the following were stopped and ill-treated by armed Serb civilians: Behxhet (43), Nazim (28), Betim (14) and Mentor Halimi (21); Fadil (32), Haki (50), Fatmir (45), Azem (18) and Halit Berisha (25) - all from Ferizaj.
VUSHTRRI: Large police forces were stationed in the vicinity of the prison in Smrekonica. They are ill-treating passers-by. 8 Albanian passengers were taken out of the bus travelling between Vushtrria and Mitrovica. Lulzim Muharrem Gllogovci (22) from the "Bair" quarter and Muhamed Murtez Rama (23) from the "Tavnik" quarter were among the ill-treated.
RAHOVEC: Police arrested Xhavit Isa Gjuraj (17) from Xërxa. He was taken to the police station in Rahovec.

JANUARY 10:

PODUJEVA: Last night there was sporadic shooting in the town of Podujeva. Serb forces are re-grouping at the place called "Tabet e Llapashticës", at the "Besiana" Motel, in Peran, Lluzhan, Lupç and Vranidoll. Serb snipers were stationed on top of the "Besiana" Motel, the wheat silos and the police station. Serb forces stationed at the place called "Tabet e Llapashticës" opened fire towards Llapashtica and Obrança. In the village of Peran, Serb forces have taken hostage the families of Xhafer Emini (his mother and 16-year-old daughter), Ajet Emini (7 members), Ismet Beqiri (22 members); Nazmi Ismajli (4 members); Rifat Beqiri (4 members); and Behram Hoxha (3 members). The road between Podujeva and Kërpimeh continues to be blocked.
MITROVICA: The Serb soldiers who were arrested by the KLA forces in Shala e Bajgorës met with their relatives. They stated that they are treated well and that no violence was applied against them. During the last 2 days, the OSCE verifiers are negotiating with the KLA for their release. Military forces are still in position with their guns pointed towards Shala e Bajgorës. There was shooting in the Romas quarter in Mitrovica. 2 trucks and an APC full of Serb policemen headed towards Skënderaj.
FERIZAJ: Large police, military and paramilitary forces surrounded the villages of Slivova and Llojza and blocked the road between Ferizaj and Shtime. The following were physically ill-treated by the police: Danush Haredini with his son and Asllan Sejdiu from Slivova; as well as Elmi and Naim Muharrem Neziri from Dremjak. Rasim Rushiti, chairman of the LDK sub-branch in Slivova was arrested. As the Serb forces withdrew from Slivova they took Sadik Musliu (41) with them. The Albanian villagers of Slivova started fleeing their houses. Serb forces demolished the vacant houses in Slivova and detained many Albanian youngsters.
PRIZREN: Some 20 policemen went into the village of Petrova. They are stopping and ill-treating passers-by. Ilmi Kurtish Xhoxhaj (1961), Nexhat Isak Xhoxhaj (1963) and Enver Avdi Xhoxhaj (1970) were subjected to physical torture. On the intervention of the international verifiers policemen withdrew from the village.
PRISHTINA: Last night, after midnight, a bomb was thrown on the house of Rasim Thaçi in "Gjura Jakshiq" st. 14. Material damage was caused.
VITI: Yesterday, in the vicinity of the village of Lubizhda, on the border with Macedonia, Serb soldiers arrested the following: Jakup, Ejup, Rushit and Mahmut Shefkiu; Bahri and Ismet Nura; Jakup and Xhemail Dalipi; as well as Muhamet Muharremi and Ibush Zeneli. The above mentioned had gone to the forest to cut wood. They were taken to the military camp in Letnica and to the police station in Vitia. The court in Vitia fined each of them with DIN 1000 for allegedly ilegally trespassing the border.
ISTOG: On the night between January 9-10, unidentified persons opened fire on the car of Rajko Jeremiq (37) from Istog. Rajko was wounded. He and his family were returning from Peja. Rajko was known for his good relations with his Albanian neighbours.

DELAYED INFORMATION:

GLLOGOC: On December 26, in the vicinity of the poultry farm in Krivova, Ilir Berisha (24), a student from Komoran, was stopped and severely ill-treated by the police. Ilir suffered severe body injuries.
KLINA: On December 26, Ramë Zogaj from the village of Kërrnica was taken for informative talks and interrogated on the KLA. On December 28, 3 policemen stopped the bus travelling between Klina and Peja. Bashkim Dragaj, the driver, was physically ill-treated. Bore Abazaj, who tried to protect him, was insulted on a national and moral basis.
PRISHTINA: On December 29, in the vicinity of the Albanological Institute, armed Serb civilians and a person in uniform, tried to kidnap Luljeta Hasan Hetemi (1974), a student of medicine from the village of Shtutica near Gllogoc. The very same day, police raided the house of her aunt in the "Ulpiana" quarter. Her ID, index, passport and other personal documents were torn. An armed Serb civilian saved Luljeta and escorted her to her house. Luljeta suffered severe injuries and is in a very grave health condition.
FERIZAJ: On December 29, 2 Serb inspectors arrested Sali Muhaxheri, "17 Nëntori" st. His shop was closed.

Prishtina, January 10, 1999

Information Service

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