[ALBSA-Info] State Department Confirms Identities of Bytyqi Brothers

[National Albanian American Council - NAAC]

National Albanian American Council
1700 K Street, N.W., Suite 1201, Washington, DC  20006
481 8th Avenue, Suite 922, New York, NY 10001
Telephone: (202) 466-6900   Fax: (202) 466-5593
Web: www.naac.org   Email: naac at naac.org
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release:  November 9, 2001    Contact:  Sokol Shtylla (202) 466-6900
 
PRESS RELEASE
 
State Department Confirms Identities of Bytyqi Brothers;
 
Fund Established to Ensure Repatriation of Remains
 
Washington, DC, November 9, 2001: The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) issued the following statement regarding the official identification of the murdered Bytyqi Brothers.

In July, a mass grave was found outside of a police compound in Petrovo Selo, Serbia. The United States Department of State has now confirmed that thee of the bodies found are those of the brothers, Agron, Mehmet and Ylli Bytyqi, American citizens of Albanian decent. The three Bytyqi brothers were born in Chicago, IL and were all in their early twenties. They gave up the comforts of living in America to travel to Kosova and help the American-lead effort to end the genocidal campaign being waged by Serb dictator Slobodan Milosevic. They were last seen trying to assist a Roma family cross the border into Serbia. The three were arrested at the border for trying to enter without a visa and sentenced to 15 days in prison. After being released, the brothers were transferred to Milosevic's special forces. They were never seen alive again. Reports indicate that their bodies were discovered atop a heap of debris containing the bodies of approximately 16 other Albanians. The brothers were the only ones to have been blindfolded and have their hands tied. They had been shot in the chest at close range.

Members of Congress, including Senators Mitch McConnell and John McCain, and Congressman Eliot Engel, have demanded that the US investigate their death.  In fact, during a discussion of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill on October 24, 2001, McConnell addressed this issue: "I continue to be keenly interested in the investigation into the murder of the three American brothers of Albanian descent from New York who were recently found in a mass grave in Serbia.  Justice must be served for their murders."
  
The Bytyqi family, however, is struggling to come to grips not only with this tragedy, but also with the costs of repatriation.  Consequently, the National Albanian American Council and the Hands of Hope Campaign have established the Bytyqi Family Fund. Although no amount of funds can ever compensate the family for their loss, the Fund is designed to help the Bytyqi family absorb the costs related to transporting the bodies back home to the U.S. and to cope during their time of crisis. These contributions will ensure that these American citizens who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom will receive a burial worthy of their heroism. Please direct all tax-deductible donations to: 

The Bytyqi Family Fund 
National Albanian American Council
481 8th Avenue, Suite 922
New York, NY 10001

The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs.
 
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