REPORT NO. 459
         ON THE VIOLATION OF
           HUMAN RIGHTS IN KOSOVA
           FROM  FEBRUARY 14
           UNTIL  FEBRUARY 21, 1999

 
KËSHILLI PËR MBROJTJEN E TË DREJTAVE E TË LIRIVE TË NJERIUT
COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Rr. Vellusha 46, 38000 Prishtinë-Kosovë; tel. 381 (0) 38 530 409 fax: 381 (0) 38 36 965
E-mail: kmdlnj@albanian.com   cdhrf@albanian.com
http://www.albanian.com/kmdlnj   http://www.kosovainfo.com/HUMAN

                                 REPORT No.459

ON THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN KOSOVA
FROM 14 FEBRUARY UNTIL 21 FEBRUARY 1999

The day, when the International Peaceful Conference on Kosova in Rambouillet, on 20 February, was expected to come to its end, Serbian police and military forces launched attacks in Podujeva, Suhareka, Shtime, etc. Whereas, in other parts of Kosova, they went on with persecutions, ill-treatments, arrests, killings. Fresh military and police forces are deploying in Kosova. Serbian civilians are mobilized and are joining the armed forces in persecution of their Albanian neighbours.
Many people were found killed and mutilated by Serbian military, police and paramilitary forces, as well as dead as an aftermath of cold, lack of medical assistance, shortage of food and difficult living conditions. The most vulnerable category are children (newly-born babies), women and elderly.

Killings, mutilations, violent deaths...

12 FEBRUARY: Two newly-born babies of Mehmet and Sadije Kukaj from Tërstenik (Gllogoc) died due to the lack of medical assistance.
14 FEBRUARY: Sub-CDHRF in Gjakova confirmed that on 10 January, on the border zone with Albania, Serbian forces killed Nikë Sokol Hajdaraj (31) from Bardhaniq (Gjakova).
16 FEBRUARY: Selim Shehu (48) from Koshare (Gjakova) died due to the lack of medical assistance. The wounds he had suffered during the offensive of the Serbian forces last year paralysed him.
17 FEBRUARY: Two children of Asllan Tahiraj, his son Ahmet (8) and his newly-born daughter, died due to the cold. Whereas, his wife and two other children Merita (7) and Mërgim (12) are being hospitalized in Gjakova. -The corpse of Milaim Morina (1966) from Astrazub (Malisheva) and that of an unidentified mature person were found along the road Rahovec-Malisheva, 3-4 km away from Rahovec.
18 FEBRUARY: At about 10.00 p.m., in Pestova (Vushtrri), Marjan Joviq (40) from Pestova was killed under unknown circumstances. -Sub-CDHRF in Klina confirmed that on 29 January, in Rogova (Has), Serbian forces killed Vesel Sejdi Avdyli (18) from Drenoc (Klina).
19 FEBRUARY: Today, at his working place in "Betonjerka" Social Enterprise, in the vicinity of Drini i Bardhë, Hamdi Qazim Likaj (53) from Krajk (Has), father of 5, was found mutilated. Yesterday, the late left for work and ever since his family has no information on his whereabouts. -In the early morning, the corpse of an unidentified person was found in Grejkoc (Suhareka).
20 FEBRUARY: At about 9.00 p.m., Arben Aziz Saliuka (25) was killed in front of his house in "Muharrem Gazia" st., in Gjakova. He was shot with 25 bullets. Several minutes before the killing took place, the late had been stopped by the police and his identity had been checked. In August last year, he was arrested and kept in detention for 5 months. He was accused of "hostile activity".
20 FEBRUARY: The corpses of brothers Radovan and Zoran Mihajloviq from Mushtisht were found in Mushtisht (Suhareka). They were killed under unknown circumstances.
21 FEBRUARY: In the early morning, the corpses of Muhamet Bytyçi (29) and Sylejman Nazim Rrotlla (25) from Prizren were found in Gjinoc. -At about 8.15 p.m., Gafurr Xhafer Loku, vice-chairman of the Sub-CDHRF in Han i Elezit, and his son Driton were killed in front of his house in Paldenica (Han i Elezit). They were killed by unknown persons.

Kidnappings and disappearances...

During the last week, we were informed that there are no information on the whereabouts of the following missing persons: Arif Mehmet Deskaj (55), deaf-mute, from the district of Klina (since September 1998); Ilir Mërturi (25) from Klina (since 29 January); Nexhmedin Bunjaku, his wife Shehide Bunjaku, his sons Xhafer and Liridon, his daughter Shyhrete Bunjaku from Sallabaja (Podujeva), (since 15 February); Murat Sylaj (33) from Sllapuzhan (Suhareka), (since 18 February).

Trials...

-The Serbian Run District Court in Mitrovica convicted the following persons for "hostile activity": on 15 February - Sabedin Imeri (22) from Balinc (Vushtrri) to 1 year and 3 months of imprisonment; on 16 February - Ismet Saraçi (49), an invalid from Bivolak (Vushtrri), to 10 months of imprisonment.
-On 16 February, the Serbian Run District Court in Prizren convicted the following persons for "hostile activity": Xhavit Hamdi Mala (1960) from Mushtisht (Suhareka) to 2 years of imprisonment, Agim Morina (1956) from Bellacërka (Rahovec) to 1 year of imprisonment.
-The Serbian Run District Court in Peja convicted the following persons for "terrorism" and "hostile activity": on 16 February - Çaush H. Ahmeti (1965) from Sheremet (Gjakova) to 1,5 year of imprisonment; on 17 February - Rexhë B. Jakupi (1955) from Kosuriq (Peja) and Nevzat H. Morina (1968) from Sverka (Klina) to 4 years of imprisonment each; Ismet A. Gashi (1950) and Ramadan B. Gashi (1955) from Sverka and Jahir S. Agushi (1948) from Drenoc (Klina) to 3,5 years of imprisonment each; Bajram J. Berisha (1962) from Volljaka to 2,5 years of imprisonment; dr. Zaim H. Gashi (1962) from Sverka and Ramadan Beqa (45) from Gremnik (Klina) to 7 months of imprisonment each; on 19 February - Haki Z. Dinaj (1948) from Raushiq (Peja) to 1 year of imprisonment.
-On 17 February, the Serbian Run District Court in Gjakova convicted Fatime Boshnjaku from Gjakova, an activist with the "Mother Theresa" Humanitarian & Charitable Association, to 7 months of imprisonment.
-On 18 February, the Serbian Run District Court in Prishtina convicted Bislim Bislimaj (1957) from Dobresh (Viti) to 13 years of imprisonment. He was charged for "terrorism" and "hostile activity".
-On 19 February, the Serbian Run District Court in Prokuple (Serbia) convicted the following persons for "hostile activity" and "terrorism": Feriz Halim Zabelaj (1963) and Rrahim Adem Aliu (1962) from Rezalla (Skënderaj), Xhavit Beqir Kaçaniku (1942) from Prizren and Sinan Abdullah Bytyçi (1960) from Semetishta (Suhareka) - to 4 years of imprisonment each; Qazim Sylejman Krasniqi (1965), Azem Sylejman Krasniqi (1972) and Imer Maliq Krasniqi (1969) from Malësia e Re (Prizren); Ali Hysen Gashi (1955) from Shiroka, Burim Misin Bllaca (1978) from Bllaca, Naim Selman Balaj (1965) from Dobërdelan, Baki Tafë Nuhiu (1970) from Grejçec and Halit Nezir Ndrecaj (1969) from Maçiteva (Suhareka); Enver Avdyl Zogaj (1972) from Bellanica, Hajrullah Asllan Samadraxha (1945) from Banja (Malisheva) and Ramadan Hilmi Avdiu (1961) from Zaplluzha (Dragash) - to 3,5 years of imprisonment.
-On 15 February, the Serbian Run District Court in Gjakova convicted Elmir Xhevdet Hoxha from Gjakova to 15 days of imprisonment under the pretext that he had threatened the "local policeman" Naser Arifi.

THE COURSE OF EVENTS:

14 FEBRUARY:

SUHAREKA: At the place called "Kodra e Shkurtër", between the villages of Çadrak and Dragaçina, masked and unknown Serbian speaking persons severely ill-treated Tafil Tahir Trolli (23) from Dragaçina. They wrote KLA on his chest with metal tools.
MALISHEVA: There were fire shots in Kijeva. In the vicinity of Mleçan, Serbian police stopped a bus and the tractor driven by Qerim B. Krasniqi (38) from Drenoc. Qerim was with his family. Due to the intervention of the OSCE verifiers, Qerim and his family avoided the ill-treatment. While humanitarian aid were distributed, some Serbian policemen went into the house of Hajdar Gashi from Balinca and severely ill-treated Ramadan, Xhemajli, Isuf, Jakup, Nijazi, Lumni, Ymer, Hajdar and Binak Gashi, an activist with the "Mother Theresa" Humanitarian & Charitable Association.
PODUJEVA: In the vicinity of the cross-road to Kërpimeh, Serbian policemen stopped a car and arrested 4 Albanian youngsters.
FERIZAJ: Mehmet Qeli from Gaçka was arrested yesterday and severely ill-treated. Today, he was released in a very deteriorated condition. In the centre of the town, police arrested and took Qazim Kamer Burrniku (1961) from Rakaj for informative talks. Three masked and armed persons went into the "Bekimi" bakery in Ferizaj and severely ill-treated Neki Çoçaj (1982), a worker.
PRISHTINA: The guard in the prison of Mitrovica e Sremit did not allow Ukshin Hoti, political prisoner and chairman of the Party of National Union, to talk to his sister Mirvete Kasumi in Albanian language.

15 FEBRUARY:

VUSHTRRI: After the warn of the Serbian military forces for their drill at the place called "Te pishat", the inhabitants of the villages of Novolan, Brusnik, Resnik, Taraxha, Kolla, Vërnica and Bukosh fled their homes. At about 9.00 a.m., a military convoy of 4 tanks, 4 vehicles, 5 lorries and other vehicles, accompanied by Serbian police forces, headed towards Bukosh and were stationed in the vicinity of the cemetery of this village. Later on, these forces withdrew and went back to the military barracks in Vushtrri. In the evening, in the vicinity of the pensioners' club in the centre of Vushtrri, a person opened fire in order to provoke and cause panic among the passers-by and pupils.
PODUJEVA: Large police forces in 7 buses, 6 armoured vehicles and 2 lorries from Serbia headed towards Prishtina. Yesterday, Serbian police arrested Xhezair Govori from Sveçla and Besnik Rama from Turuçica. Xhezair was released after several hours, whereas Besnik was kept in detention until today. DM 200 were looted from him.
MITROVICA: 4 armoured APCs full of policemen were stationed at the place called "Gërmova" between the villages of Zhabar i Epërm and Koshtova e Bobit. Tens of traffic inspectors and Serbian policemen stopped and fined many Albanian drivers with large sums of money. In the vicinity of the "Adriatiku" hotel, three Serbian policemen stopped the bus travelling from Mitrovica to Bajgora and arrested Fatmir Bislim Beqiri (18) from Bajgora, sheltered in the "Bair" quarter and another Albanian from "Tuneli i Parë" quarter. In the vicinity of the green market, policemen Nenad Paviqeviq and Ratko Antonijeviq looted 2050 dinars and DM 150 from Abit Bislim Jashari (51) from the "Tavnik" quarter. They took him for informative talks and ordered him to report again the next day. In the evening, at the same place, about 30 policemen severely ill-treated many passers-by, among whom Hajriz H. Istrefi (50). Many passers-by were ill-treated in the "Ibri" quarter, too. At about 8.00 p.m., in the vicinity of the Technical School, over 10 Serbian policemen opened automatic gun fire.
Asllan Bajram Asllani (74) from the "Kroi i Vitakut" quarter was taken to the police station and was interrogated on the frequent attacks of the Serbian civilians perpetrated against his house and those of the neighbours. In the evening, Serbian civilians attacked his house and his family members were forced to flee. On the road Prishtina-Mitrovica, in Babimoc (Obiliq), Serbian policemen stopped Mirsad Murat Vatovci (22) from the "Kroi i Vitakut" quarter in Mitrovica, temporarily employed in Italy. They seized his documents, took him to the police station in Vushtrri, severely ill-treated him and drove him in his car several times from Vushtrri to Babimoc and back. Finally, they gave him his documents back. Mirsad claimed that he saw many Albanians, mainly youngsters, at the police station in Vushtrri. Some of them were tied for armoured cars.
MALISHEVA: Serbian military and police forces in tanks paraded through the villages of Balinca, Llazica and Mleçan, threatened the Albanian population and severely ill-treated Maliq Buzhala, a pupil, and Ramadan Foniqi (75), an invalid, both from Llazica, as well as Qazim Dobruna, in the presence of his ill mother. A military plane flew over the region of Kijeva, whereas 3 military tanks were stationed in Kijeva.
KLINA: In the early hours of the morning, Serbian military forces headed towards the villages of Sverka, Përçeva and Volljaka. Military helicopters flew over these villages and over the town itself. Large military forces were stationed in the vicinity of Përçeva, at the place called "Mrizi i Përçevës". A police squad stopped and beat Avni Zenuni (16), a pupil from Gremnik, who was on his way back from school. They threatened to stab him next time.
OBILIQ: In Hade, Serbian police raided several Albanian houses. The pretext is unknown. Rrahim H. Mirena (27) from Hade is in detention since 11 February.

16 FEBRUARY:

PODUJEVA: In the afternoon and in the evening, Serbian military and police forces launched an attack on Godishnjak and the neighbouring villages. There were fierce clashes between Serbian forces and the KLA. In Godishnjak, Serbian forces burned the 3-story house of Agim Bici and some other houses. Serbian police arrested Beqir and Arsim Mustafa, owners of the bus of the "Mentori tours" travel agency. They were released after an hour.
MITROVICA: At about 9.00 a.m., in the vicinity of the bus station, 4 Serbian policemen in a car with plates KM 618 530 kidnapped 2 Albanian youngsters. At about noon, 2 armoured APCs full of policemen were stationed at the same place. They stopped and ill-treated many passers-by and drivers. On their way from Skënderaj to Mitrovica, Serbian police forces opened fire while parading in Shipol. 5 policemen stopped Shahin Ademi (50) from Rashan, severely ill-treated and arrested him. Burim Hajriz Istrefi (18) from the "Ibri" quarter is still kept in detention. In the yard of the "Abdullah Shabani" Primary School, Serbian police arrested an unknown person in a car. Jakup Islam Imeri (39) from Shipol was taken for informative talks. He was stopped by the policemen on 13 February.
VUSHTRRI: Serbian military forces were stationed between the villages of Maxhunaj and Stanoc. Serbian policemen, stationed in Novolan, severely ill-treated an Albanian citizen. They opened fire towards him, but he managed to escape. Faton Curri, a pupil, Selim Curri (35) and Sabit Rr. Makiqi (22) - all from Resnik, were severely ill-treated at the same place. All day long, there were large police movements. After 10.00 p.m., there were fire shots.
MALISHEVA: At the place called "Ura e Pishevës" in Llazica, Serbian police opened fire towards an Albanian citizen, who was travelling by his car. Serbian police forces in an armoured car provoked the Albanian population in the vicinity of Tërpeza. Serbian police stopped the bus of the "Topalli" travel agency in Rahovec. They ill-treated and looted many Albanian passengers, among whom Nuhi Gjyliti from Maralia (Malisheva), etc.
PRIZREN: Idriz Isuf Kryeziu (1967) was arrested in Dushanova. He was interrogated at the Security Centre in Prizren. Later on, he was released and ordered to report on 22 February. The Serbian Run District Court in Prizren initiated the investigative proceedings against Qazim Tahir Gallopeni, a mentally retarded person from Dobërdolan (Suhareka). He was indicted for "terrorism" and sent to a pre-trial detention of 30 days.
RAHOVEC: At the cross-road of Xërxa, Serbian police severely ill-treated many Albanian citizens, among whom Qemajl Canziba and his son Nexhat from Rahovec. One of the policemen threatened Nexhat to cut his fingers. Policemen went into the private shops near-by and severely ill-treated those present.
ISTOG: Yesterday, Serbian police raided the houses of brothers Ismet and Enver Ukaj. They threatened Enver's wife, who was protecting her son Berat (23), when they made an attempt to take him. Today, Enver and Ismet were interrogated and then released.
GJAKOVA: Serbian police arrested and severely ill-treated Gjokë Gega (48) from Lugbunar. Later on, he was released. Edmond Gjakoshi (19) from Rakoc, sheltered in Piskota, was stopped, severely ill-treated and fined. Ali Rama from Rracaj, who was arrested on 9 February, was severely ill-treated at the police station in Gjakova. In a very deteriorated condition, he was taken to the prison of Peja.
FERIZAJ: Some Serbian pupils broke and demolished the windows of the "Jeronim De Rada" Primary School in Ferizaj. On 13, 14 and 16 February, Basri Latif Hasani (1958), a teacher and an LDK activist from Gaçka, was taken for informative talks at the Security Centre in Ferizaj.

17 FEBRUARY:

PODUJEVA: At about 9.30 a.m., Serbian military and police forces launched an attack towards Llapashtica e Epërme, Godishnjak and Katunishta and demolished many houses. Two houses of Bici family were burned in Godishnjak. The house and the carpentry of Shaqir Abdullah Potoku were shelled. In Podujeva, the houses of the following were machine gunned: Qerim and Muhamet Aliu, Sabit and Vehbi Haliti (56), Rexhep Visoka (65), Rrustem Bahtiri and Abdush Fejzullahu. Serbian policemen looted the houses of Kadri and Vehbi Shala from Lluzhan, Ismail Bunjaku from Sallabaja. They looted Kadri's car. Out of 4 Albanian citizens arrested on 14 February, the following were released yesterday: Sahit (20), Gazmend (22) and Avni Tahiri (23), the three from Zhitia, whereas Gani Selmani from Repa is still in detention.
GJAKOVA: Last night, after 1.00 a.m., in the north of Gjakova, in the vicinity to the road leading to Deçan and Peja, there was an explosion, which caused considerable material losses in the shops near-by.
MITROVICA: In front of the bus station and in other parts of the town, Serbian police severely ill-treated and arrested many Albanian citizens, among whom Ilaz Imer Miftari (58) from Runik (Skënderaj). At the main post-office, while citizens were waiting to get their pensions, over 10 Albanian citizens were arrested, mainly youngsters, among whom Nazif Ferati (50) from the village of Bare and Fehmi Ramadan Miftari (23) from Vllahia, who were taken to the police station and severely ill-treated. In the yard of the Security Centre, Lutfi Osman Qela (21) from Rashan, sheltered in Vushtrri, was arrested. He had gone to get his passport. He was subjected to severe ill-treatment under the pretext that he spoke no Serbian. In front of the orthodox church, the passers-by were severely ill-treated, whereas in the vicinity of the sports centre, Bekim Ajet Tahiri (22) and Lutfi Hajriz Tahiri (21) from Vaganica e Poshtme were arrested. 4 Serbian policemen checked and insulted Hajriz Hamit Istrefi (50) from Mitrovica on a national basis. Passers-by and drivers were subjected to severe ill-treatment along the road Mitrovica-Vushtrri, in Shupkoc, Kqiq i Vogël, Smrekonica and Dobërlluka. In the vicinity of the Xhamia e Llapit in Prishtina, 5 policemen and 3 Serbian civilians arrested Idriz Sadik Bajrami (48) from the "Ura e Gjakut" quarter in Mitrovica. He was subjected to severe ill-treatment at the Security Centre. In Bellopoja (Peja), Serbian police stopped the bus travelling from Peja to Mitrovica and arrested Beqir Rushit Sogojeva (53) from the "Bair" quarter, Brahim Haliti (54) from the "Ura e Gjakut" quarter, Asllan Abedin Ahmeti (54) and Milazim Ali Ahmeti (54) from Zhabar i Epërm. They were severely ill-treated, threatened with killing and 750 kg beans estimated to DM 2250 were looted from them.
PRIZREN: Last night, in "Mazllum Këpuska" st., a police squad arrested Rexhep Sami Kastrati and kept him tied for the radiator until today. Last night, the same squad opened fire towards a "Golf" car and some bullets hit the front door of the house of Banush Salihu. The same policemen severely ill-treated Isuf Thaçi (1970), a teacher with the "Abdyl Frashëri" Primary School (he was kept at the police station for 13 hours), Zaim Nuridin Kolukaj (1963) in the yard of his house and Blerim Fazli Sylaj (1985). Police raided the house of Sokol Miftar Morina (1942). Sokol and Driton Shkëlzen Berisha (20) from Kramovik (Rahovec) were arrested. Driton had been sheltered in Sokol's house. Sokol was released in the evening, whereas Driton is still under arrest.
ISTOG: About 30 Serbian policemen raided the houses of Osman Imer Dervishaj and Ukë Bajram Mehmetaj (63) from Zabllaq. The latter was arrested. Two unknown persons in a "Lada" car without plates attempted to kidnap Demir Elez Osmanaj (19) from Gjurakoc, a worker with the "Avni Rrustemi" Primary School in Zallq.
RAHOVEC: In Krusha e Vogël, Serbian police severely ill-treated and threatened Ruzhdi Isuf Haxhijaha (33) from Rahovec with liquidation. The Albanian citizens are ill-treated at the cross-road in Xërxa and in the vicinity of the wine cellar.
SHTËRPCA: In the villages of Viçaj, Brod and Firaja, Serbian police distributed summons to the youngsters to report to the compulsory Serbian authorities in Shtërpca. The pretext is unkown.
GJILAN: A police inspector arrested Bahrije Mustafa (1969), "Boris Kidriç" st.165/A, a worker. She was interrogated on the whereabouts of her husband Kadri Mustafa (1960). His whereabouts are unknown for two months now.
OBILIQ: In the "Bregaj" quarter in Plemetin, 6 Serbian police in a car without plates searched for Sadri Mehmeti (44), secretary of the Sub-CDHRF in Obiliq, Isuf Mehmeti (37) and Fehmi Hyseni (26).
VUSHTRRI: Some policemen raided the houses of brothers Raif and Zeqë Zymberi from Novolan.
PEJA: Serbian police arrested Skënder Hoxha (55), a teacher with the Economic Secondary School and an LDK activist.
DEÇAN: During the last three days, the machines of the "Shipad" Plant and the Piston Plant in Deçan were transported in lorries to Serbia. Both buildings are empty now.
PRISHTINA: Metush Sadiku (1934), a lawyer from Prishtina, claimed that DM 1.000.000, confiscated by the Serbian military forces in the military check-point between the villages of Sllatina and Vrella on 11 January 1999, belong to the "Drenica" Humanitarian Association of the Emigrants, which legally operates in Bern (Switzerland). This money was dedicated to the endangered population of Drenica. Shpresim Uka from Prishtina was authorized to bring it here. He sent his brother-in-law Agim Zogiani from Hallaq (Fushë-Kosova) instead. He and Shefri Fazliu, the driver of the bus were arrested.

18 FEBRUARY:

PRISHTINA: In Shkabaj, at about 1.00 p.m., unknown persons opened fire to the house of Hajrush Shkodra (1958) and wounded his mother Kadime (1935). In the "Ramiz Sadiku" st., a police squad stopped a taxi and severely ill-treated Besnik Zejnullah Maksutaj (1978) from Orrobërda (Istog) and Vahid Xhemajl Haxhiu (1980) from Hertica (Podujeva), pupils with the "Allaudin" Medressah in Prishtina under the pretext that they spoke no Serbian.
PODUJEVA: A military convoy of 25 lorries and armoured cars and a police convoy of 4 APCs, 3 lorries and 2 armoured cars from Serbia headed towards Prishtina.
FERIZAJ: Adem Salihaj, chairman of the LDK branch in Ferizaj, was taken for informative talks at the Security Centre. He was interrogated on the explosive which was set off in the market of the town. Xhavit Ahmeti is still in detention at the Security Centre. He found the explosive in a sack of potatoes.
GJILAN: Serbian military forces in some lorries and other vehicles, accompanied by the OSCE KVM team in Gjilan, were stationed at the place called "Lajthitë e Bagdadit" in the vicinity of the villages of Sllakoc and Kishnapola. They opened fire towards the settlements. Later on, a part of these forces headed towards Gjilan and the other part headed towards Ferizaj.
SHTIME: At about 5.00 p.m., three armed Serbian civilians in a car with UR plates attempted to kidnap Naser Xhevat Fazliu (34).
MITROVICA: In Gazivoda, Serbian police stopped the bus of "Kosovatrans" travel agency and arrested Ramadan Feriz Miftari (19) from Vllahia and Blerim Mujë Haxha (19) from Maxhera. Both were beaten as soon as they got off the bus.
OBILIQ: Between 12.00 and 1.00 p.m., 6 Serbian policemen in a "Niva" car without plates were stationed at the place called "Tyrbja e Sulltan Muratit" in Mazgit i Epërm. They stopped and provoked Xheladin Berisha (22) and his father, as well as other passers-by. In the evening, the same policemen stopped and provoked the inhabitants of Dardhishta.
PRIZREN: In the "Ortakoll" quarter in Prizren, Serbian police severely ill-treated Rasim Smajli (16) and Meho Veliu (17) - both from Mushnikova, pupils with the "Dr. Luçiano Motroni" Medical Secondary School in Prizren.

19 FEBRUARY:

MALISHEVA: Military planes flew over the villages of Malisheva. Serbian forces opened fire towards Bubavec. Several policemen in plain clothes entered the village.
PRIZREN: A loud blast and sporadic shots were heard in Krajk. In the early hours of the morning, about 50-60 policemen raided the houses of brothers Reshit (55) and Mitat Vehapi (33) from Lubizhda. Reshit was arrested and subjected to interrogation at the police station in Prizren. At noon, he was released. Since morning, the lorries of the private firms, owned by the Albanians, were taken and sent to the military barracks in Prizren. 3 lorries full of soldiers and 3 excavators headed towards the border zone with Albania.
MITROVICA: At about 9.00 a.m., 2 lorries, an armoured car and an APC from Rashka (Serbia) headed towards Vushtrri. Serbian policemen were stationed in many parts of the town and ill-treated and arrested the passers-by. In the vicinity of the Water Supply Plant in Shipol, policemen broke the doors of the shop owned by Idriz Ajet Rrustemi (50) from Lushta. In the vicinity of the green market, 4 Serbian policemen and inspectors arrested Afrim Ajet Haxha (27) from the "Tavnik" quarter and Zenel Qazim Behrami (29) from the "Ibri" quarter. After beating them, the policeman called Mirko, forced Afrim to pay 115 dinars for his breakfast. For 3 days now, the compulsory authorities with the "Elektrokosova" in Mitrovica has cut off the electricity to the following villages: Koshtovë e Bobit, Kopriva, Broboniq, Lushta, Pirç, Vërrnica, Vaganicë e Epërme, Zhabar i Poshtëm, Zhabar i Epërm, Vinarc i Poshtëm, Vinarc i Epërm, Shipol; the "Tavnik" and "Ura e Gjakut" quarters, as well as a part of the "Bair" quarter. These settlements are inhabited by Albanians. Even though they paid the bills for the telephone lines, the phones in the offices of the Sub-CDHRF, LDK and DFC have been disconnected for 20 days now.
Fearing from an attack of the NATO forces, many transporting military vehicles were seen to transport their arms to the Absorber Plant and the building of the Chemical Industry. In front of the Security Centre, 3 policemen are ill-treating the Albanian youngsters and other passers-by. They are also checking all cars passing by. In Shipol, Serbian policemen stopped the bus of the "Kosovatrans" travel agency travelling from Skënderaj to Mitrovica. They forced Xhafer Selim Barani (28) out of the bus and severely ill-treated him.
PODUJEVA: Serbian forces opened fire towards the villages of Majac, Godishnjak, Llapashtica and Katunishta. A military convoy of 3 buses, 4 armoured cars and 5 APCs and a special police convoy of 3 buses, 2 APCs, as well as a lorry, an armoured car and an ambulance from Serbia headed towards Prishtina.
RAHOVEC: At about 5.30 a.m., unknown persons shelled the police station in Rahovec. Then, large police forces surrounded the houses near-by the police station and the place from where the police station was shelled. Unknown persons broke the windows of the "Rilindja" newsagent and those of a grocery. Last night, there were fire shots for 4 hours. Today, all day long, movement of large police forces was noticed.
DEÇAN: Fresh police forces were stationed in Lumbardh, Irzniq, Gllogjan, Baballoç, Junik and Voksh. In Isniq, 12 policemen stopped the activists of the Sub-CDHRF and of the Albanian political parties.
KLINA: In Gjurgjevik i Vogël, armed Serbian civilians kidnapped Petrit Kerella, a pupil with the Secondary School. On ill-treating him, they pushed him out of the car, while it was moving. Petrit suffered severe injuries and his life is in danger.
VUSHTRRI: Serbian army transferred a part of the military technic in the basements of the Health Care Centre. It also took a part of its military arsenal from the Police Academy in Vushtrri. Serbian police raided the house of Refik Ramiqi, chairman of the LDK sub-branch in Pestova. They arrested Nehat Osmani (35), Sylejman Sylejmani (35), Ruzhdi Ferizi (42), Hasan (22) and Muhamet Selmani (17), Bekim Ademi (24), Fehmi Isufi (30) and Mensur Ademi (30) - all from Pestova. In Novolan, 4 Serbian policemen, 2 of them from Novolan, stopped the bus travelling from Vushtrri to Gllavotin, severely ill-treated some of the passengers and arrested Murat Berisha (20) from Bivolak and 3 other passengers. Police also stopped the bus travelling from Novolan to Vushtrri and severely ill-treated Fetah Jetullah Haliti from Shallc. Police ill-treated passers-by along the "Samadrexha" st., in the vicinity of the football stadium in Vushtrri. At the cemetery of the town, police stopped Ali F. Sinani (16) and Milazim A. Jashari (16), cigarette vendors. They beat Ali and provoked his father Fehmi, whom they ordered to sign a document for Serbia.
GJAKOVA: Tanks, lorries, armoured cars, war machinery and a large number of Serbian soldiers went to the military base in Çabrat. Fresh forces were noticed in the military barracks. Police squads patrol in town all day long. Citizens have locked themselves in their houses. Serbian police arrested Tomë Gjergjaj (52) from Dobrugja fro weapons and took him to the District Prison of Peja. Abdyl Sadriu (23) from Babaj i Bokës was arrested yesterday.
SUHAREKA: A police helicopter flew over the town itself. The situation is very grave and tense.

20 FEBRUARY:

PODUJEVA: Military and police forces stationed in Peran, Tabet e Llapashticës, Lluzhan and Dumosh, started to shell and machine gun towards Llapashtica, Katunishta, Obrança, Burica, Sallabaja, Gllamnik and Konushec at 6.00 a.m. There were clashes between the Serbian forces and the KLA units during the night. Casualties were not reported. Serbian civilians are armed and mobilized in Podujeva. Serbian snipers were stationed on the highest points of the town.
SUHAREKA: In the early hours of the morning, Serbian forces machine gunned towards Sllapuzhan, whereas at about noon, they machine gunned towards Suhareka and Rahovec. Studençan, Reshtan, Nepërbisht and Samadraxha were shelled and machine gunned, too. Fresh forces came at the police check-point in Ura e Rashanit and machine gunned the hills around. There were no casualties reported. The inhabitants of the above mentioned villages started to flee.
PRISHTINA: Fresh police forces arrived in Prishtina early in the morning. Many Serbian reservists were seen in the streets. Armoured cars were stationed in the "Mother Theresa" Boullevard and some other cross-roads.
PRIZREN: There was a loud blast in the vicinity of the Tile Plant in Landovica last night, at about 10.30 p.m. Large police forces were stationed on all cross-roads of Prizren between 10.00 p.m. and midnight. They ordered the citizens to turn off the lights. The OSCE KVM representatives were prevented from leaving their offices. Police arrested many people, among whom Jemin Cikaqi and his wife Sabina from Dobërdelan (Suhareka).
MITROVICA: At about 3.00 a.m., many uniformed and plainclothed soldiers from Rashka arrived by train. They were sent to the military barracks in Mitrovica. On all cross-roads of the town, Vinarc, Zhabar i Epërm, Zhabar i Poshtëm and Shupkoc each, 5 policemen, accompanied by traffic policemen and armed Serbian civilians were stationed. They are checking the cars and vehicles and ill-treating the passers-by. Many people were ill-treated in other parts of the town. Policemen in 3 APCs from Skënderaj, singing chetnik songs and raising three fingers, provoked and insulted the Albanian citizens on a national basis. Some civilians distributed summons for mobilization to the Serbian inhabitants of the town. In the vicinity of the "Des" enterprise, Serbian policemen arrested Ali Halil Vallqi (50) and Selim Sejdi Vallqi (38) from Vaganica e Poshtme. In the "Kroi i Vitakut" quarter, a group of Serbian civilians attacked the house of Asllan Bajram Asllani (74), broke the windows and damaged many tiles. An unknown Serbian speaking person provoked, insulted on a national basis and threatened the family of Halit Rushit Barani (48), chairman of the Sub-CDHRF in Mitrovica. He himself was provoked by two Serbian inspectors. In the outskirts of Suhareka, Serbian policemen stopped, checked and beat Sefer Xhemajl Hasani (66) and Lulzim Hajdin Ibrahimi (24) from Shipol. Policemen also demolished their lorry and looted 980 dinars from them.
GJILAN: Armoured military and police vehicles were seen parading through the town. Serbian citizens are mobilized. Military superiors are transfering the military machinery and technic. Several military tanks and vehicles headed towards Malisheva (Gjilan).
VUSHTRRI: After the mysterious killing of Marjan Joviq (40) from Pestova, Serbian police arrested 10 persons, of whom the following are still in detention: Sylejman (35), Hasan (22) and Muhamet Selmani (17), Bekim (24) and Mensur Ademi (30), Fehmi Jusufi (30) - all from Pestova. During the raid, police demolished many houses of the inhabitants of this village.
RAHOVEC: A loud blast was heard in the early hours of the morning. There were fire shots last night in different parts of the town.
OBILIQ: In the late hours of the evening, in the centre of the town, unknown persons broke the windows of the pub owned by Remzi Blakçori and of the shop owned by NN Sokoli.

21 FEBRUARY:

PODUJEVA: Fire shots have been heard at Tabet e Llapashticës and Peran since Saturday night. Attacks were launched against the villages of Godishnjak, Sallabaja and Burica. The road Podujeva-Kërpimeh is still blocked. The local Serbs in Podujeva are mobilized.
GJAKOVA: During the last 3 days, fresh military and police forces arrived in Gjakova. They have blocked the border with Albania. Consequently, the villages of Demjan, Gërçina, Lipovec, Goden, Zylfaj, etc., are blocked. Serbian forces were stationed in Shkugëza and Çabrat, too. All Serbs and Montenegrins were mobilized.
HANI I ELEZIT: At the place called "Ura e Seqishtës" in Han i Elezit, Serbian forces stopped the car of Naser Bunjaku from Kaçanik. He was delivering bread to the shops all over the town. Serbian forces tied him and took him to the woods. Later on, a shot was heard from that place.
SUHAREKA: A military convoy of 4 armoured cars, 2 buses, 2 lorries and 10 tugboats from Prizren headed towards Suhareka. The situation is very tense in the villages of Mushtisht, Reshtan, Studençan and Samadraxha. The population fled its homes. On its way back from Mohlan, a police squad opened fire in the outskirts of Reçan. Albanians locked themselves in their homes in Mushtisht. Armed Serbs demolished the Albanian shops and threw stones to the car of the international verifiers.
PRIZREN: Serbian military forces have sieged the village of Vërmica on border with Albania and prevented the international verifiers from approaching the area. Large Serbian forces were concentrated on the border with Albania. Serbian forces ordered OSCE KVM representatives in Prizren to close their office in the village of Zhur, 7 km away from Albania. The OSCE representatives continue with their work.
KLINA: Serbian forces in 6 tanks, 5 armoured cars and other war machinery sieged the village of Përçeva. 200 Serbian soldiers were stationed in 5 strategic points around the village. Serbian forces placed anti-aircraft rockets in Tikvesh (Klina). Movements of Serbian military machinery were noticed on the road Dollc-Volljaka and in the Sverka region.

DELAYED INFORMATION:

FERIZAJ: On 10 and 11 February, Serbian policemen searched for Sami Baki Kadriu (22) from Slivova. On 12 February, in Slivova, Serbian policemen arrested Fadil Bajrami (1958). On their way to the police station, at the place called "Mulliri i Kukës", policemen arrested Ragip Sadiku (1955) from Koshare. He was subjected to ill-treatment and was ordered to report again on 15 February. On 12 February, Serbian policemen arrested brothers Xhevdet and Ali Jaha from Dremjak. Both were subjected to severe ill-treatment. On 13 February, Hetem Sejdiu from Gaçka and Osman Mehmet Abazi (1964) from Softaj were wounded due to the bomb explosion. The car of Muhamet Adem Rexhepi (1964) from Ferizaj was completely destroyed. After an explosion in the "Princi" cafe, the following were arrested: Gani, Shukri and Ismet Misini (a teacher) and Arif Rexhepi from Greme, Rexhep Devaja from Ferizaj and Hamdi Jashari, a teacher from Doganaj (Kaçanik).
DEÇAN: On 12 February, in Strellc i Poshtëm, Serbian police raided the house of Bajram Lajçi. He and his relative Enver Ramiz Hoxha from Jabllanica were arrested.
PRIZREN: On 13 February, in the vicinity of the "Emin Duraku" Primary School in Dushanova, Serbian traffic policemen arrested Shkëlzen Shaqir Kryeziu (1977) from Dushanova and sent him to the police station in Prizren. He was subjected to severe ill-treatment by the policeman called Shipka and others. One of them put a KLA emblem in his pocket and threatened to put a KLA uniform on him and take him to Gorozhup (on the border with Albania) and kill him.
PEJA: On 13 February, in the vicinity of Peja, Serbian police severely ill-treated Burim Bardheci (1975) from Grabanica (Klina) until he passed away. They searched for his father Abdyl.

Prishtina, 21 February 1999
Information Service

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