From mentor at alb-net.com Mon Feb 12 11:14:36 2001 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 11:14:36 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Kcc-News] On The Situation Of Human Rights And Freedoms In Kosova (Weekly Report #533) Message-ID: COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS K?SHILLI P?R MBROJTJEN E T? DREJTAVE E T? LIRIVE T? NJERIUT Rr. Ylfete Humolli, 38000 Prishtin?-Kosov?; tel. 381 (0) 549006 fax: 381 (0) 38 549007 E-mail:office at cdhrf.org http://www.cdhrf.org REPORT 533 on the situation of human rights and freedoms in Kosova between January 21 and January 31, 2001 The killing of a 15-year-old boy and the wounding of a number of Albanians in the Bosniac quarter in the northern part of Mitrovica resulted in the protests of thousands of Albanians in the southern part of the town. A number of Albanians and KFOR soldiers were injured during the clashes. KFOR soldiers used tear gas to disperse the protestors. 3 killings (2 Albanians and 1 Serb) and 12 woundings (9 Albanians, 2 Serbs and 1 Bosniac) were reported during this week. 7 families were evicted from their flats (6 Albanian and 1 Bosniac family). The corpses of 2 Albanian civilians, killed by the Serbian forces in 1999, were found and identified. An Albanian prisoner was sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment by the district court in Nish. 11 Albanian prisoners were released from the prisons of Serbia. January 21 KASTRIOT: On January 20, Serbs from the village of Analum (Plemetin) destroyed the bridge over the Sitnica River. The bridge connects a number of Albanian villages with Prishtina. January 22 MITROVICA: The trial against Radovan Tripko Apostoloviq from the village of Tejib?r (Suhadoll) i Ep?rm, who was accused for war crimes against the Albanian population in Mitrovica (in the "Kroi i Vitakut" and "7 Shtatori" quarters) and in the villages of Gushavc, Venar (Vinarc) i Posht?m, Vinarc i Ep?rm, Koshtova e Bobit and Fushib?r (Zhabar) i Ep?rm (municipality of Mitrovica) and ?ab?r (Zubin Potok), began at the district court in Mitrovica. The trial was stopped as the defence demanded that the trial be chaired by an international judge. According to Ram? Imer Najli (76), on January 13, his wife Seliha Kurtesh Najli (63) was wounded in a bomb attack on their house in the "Kodra e Minator?ve" quarter. Their house was occupied by a Serbian family. BURIM: The district court in Nish sentenced Riza Ahmetaj from Burim to 4 years of imprisonment. He was accused for "terrorism". DE?AN: Driton Zukaj from the village of Beleg, who was arrested by the Serbian forces in 1998, was released from the Central Prison in Belgrade. January 23 MITROVICA: At 1 p.m., in the "Kodra e Minator?ve" quarter, 4 Serbs in a white "Mercedes" tried to abduct Ibrahim Zatriqi (66) and his wife Fahrije (65). The assaulters beat Ibrahim until he fainted. French soldiers saved the couple. Ibrahim was taken to the Moroccan Hospital in the Car Battery Factory in Mitrovica. At 2 p.m., 4 Roma went to the house of Lam Peci in the "Ibri" quarter ("Rugova" st. 6). They assaulted his son Sami (18), who suffered serious body injuries. Sami had to undergo medical treatment. PRISHTINA: The trial against Zoran Stanojeviq (1968) from the village of Kroishta near Lipjan, who was accused for the killing of Hajriz Ibrahimi from the village of Re?ak near Shtime, on January 15, 1999, began at the district court in Prishtina. The trial was postponed for February 6. Unidentified persons assaulted a member of the OSCE international staff. He suffered body injuries and was taken to hospital. VITI: A grenade was thrown at a Serbian house in the center of Vitia. A Serbian woman was wounded and considerable material damage was caused. RAHOVEC: According to Tomas Lobering, the spokesman of the MNBS, at 9 p.m., 11 grenades were fired on the village of Ho?a e Madhe (a village inhabited by Serbs). 4 houses were considerably damaged. January 24 MITROVICA: A group of Serbs stopped 2 members of the OSCE, who were traveling to the northern part of the town, and beat them. They suffered light body injuries. PRISHTINA: Flamur Shala, the principal of the "Gjon Gazulli" secondary school in Prishtina, beat Burim Hilmi Reka (1982), a pupil. The pupil suffered injuries on the head and had to ask for medical assistance. Shala was taken to the police station in the "Kodra e Trimave" quarter. January 25 MITROVICA: At about 8 p.m., a large group of Serbs and Roma went to the place called ?eshmellug and threw stones at the houses of Lumni Zymer Xhaka (41) and his brother Fatmir (24). They were threatened and insulted. Later on, KFOR soldiers came and dispersed the assaulters. Considerable material damage was caused. At about 11.45 p.m., there was shooting in Marko Iliq's caf? in Zve?an. Apart from shooting from an automatic gun, Dragan Milutinoviq sang Chetnick songs and insulted Albanians. Later on, he went to the "Ibri" quarter, where he repeated these actions, until he was arrested by KFOR soldiers. SHTIME: Unidentified persons abducted Adnan Muharrem Rexhepi (7). Adnan managed to escape and inform the KPS on this. GJILAN: According to the MNBE, at 2 p.m., in the vicinity of the place called Uk?ahmetaj, on the border between Kosova and Serbia, a group of 8 armed persons opened fire towards KFOR soldiers. KA?ANIK: Fatmir Feriz Kurtaj (1962) from the village of Gabrica and Hasan Shefki Dalloshi (1957) from Doganaj were released from the prison in Mitrovica e Sremit (Vojvodina). They were arrested by the Serbian forces on August 10, 1998. Fatmir was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment, whereas Hasan to 5 years. VITI: Xhevat Haziri from Vitia, the vice-chairman of the Sub-CDHRF in Vitia, who was arrested by the Serbian police in 1998 and sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment was released from the Central Prison in Belgrade. January 26 MITROVICA: At noon, a group of 15-20 Serbs surrounded an Albanian house in the "Ibri" quarter and threatened the people living in it. Later on, the Serbs continued to threaten and insult the Albanians living in this quarter. Ali Tupanxhiu, a Roma who is suspected for having committed grave crimes against the Albanian population, was among the assaulters. GJILAN: The trial against Mom?ilo Trajkoviq (1947), the former commander of the Serbian police in Dardana, continued at the district court in Gjilan. The above-mentioned is indicted for war crimes against the Albanian population in this region. A number of Serbs from the municipalities of Gjilan and Dardana, who were supposed to testify, did not show at court. The next session was re-scheduled for February 2. At 8.15 p.m., there was a blast in the vacant house of Dobrivoje Marinkoviq in the village of Qarrishta (C?rnica). Considerable material damage was caused. VITI: At 5.50 p.m., two explosive devices were thrown at a shop opposite the Orthodox Church in Vitia. 4 Serbs were wounded. The shop was destroyed completely. PRISHTINA: According to the ICRC, 4 Albanian prisoners were released from the prisons of Serbia. 3 were released from the prison in Zaje?ar and 1 from the prison in Kraleva. Those released are: Sejdi Zekaj from Abria e Poshtme near Sk?nderaj, Sk?nder Sadiku from Gjytet (Dubovc) near Vushtrri, Bahri Istrefi from Bajgora near Mitrovica and Naim Kida from the municipality of Gjakova. January 27 MITROVICA: At 1 p.m., 8 Serbs assaulted Hamdi Ali Boja (51) and his son Petrit (24) in front of their house in the "Ibri" quarter. Petrit suffered serious injuries on his head and had to ask for medical assistance. One of the assaulters fired 3 bullets in his direction and once in the direction of the French soldiers. During the clashes, three of the assaulters were injured (one of them seriously). Later on, French soldiers searched the seat of the "Serbian National Council" and seized two guns and a 4 wheel drive, which the assaulters had used. One of the assaulters was Laqko, a leader of the "bridge guards". GJAKOVA: At about midnight, Mahir Haxhi Laj?i, an officer of the KPC, was killed in unknown circumstances in Gjakova. Fadil Hyseni from Peja and Rexhep Daci from Rrezar (Irzniq) near De?an were wounded. They were taken to the Prishtina Hospital. FUSH?-KOSOVA: In the early hours of the morning, KFOR soldiers and the UNMIK police found the corpse of Dragolub Dodereviq (1951) in the vicinity of the kindergarten in Fush?-Kosova. The perpetrators of this crime are unknown. Radovan Dobriq from the village of Miradia e Ep?rme was stabbed. VUSHTRRI: At 1.45 p.m., 3 armed Serbs from the village of Prilluzha, opened fire towards the house of Rexhep Sara?i in the village of Burim (Bivolak). DRENAS: The corpse of Isuf Ibush Hoxha (1967) from the village of Bushat (Komoran), which was found a few days ago at the place called Rrasa e Zogut in Koshare near Gjakova, was identified. Personal documents belonging to the victim, a wallet and a watch were found at the spot. January 28 MITROVICA: At 10.30 a.m., a group of 20-25 Serbs beat Naser Qazim Mernica (25). Naser suffered serious body injuries. Naser was saved by his neighbors. At 3 p.m., in the "Kodra e Minator?ve" quarter, a group of Serbs severely ill-treated Hakif Mehmet Mehmeti (21). KASTRIOT: In the early hours of the morning, unidentified persons broke into the offices of the PDK branch in Kastriot. A computer, a photocopy machine and other materials were stolen. January 29 MITROVICA: At about 1 p.m., a group of some 50 Serbs assaulted a number of Albanians living in the "Ibri" quarter. The assaulters threw 4 bombs. The house of Qazim Mernica was burned. Gazmend Agim Ibrahimi (15) was killed; Vedat Hakif Vidishiqi (25), Niazi Jahja Mripa (35), Halil Januz Januzi (21), Alban Ferit Kadriu (22), Bajram Arif Igrishta (20), Armend Agim Ibrahimi (13), Abdullah Gubetini (18) and Naser Ram? Sekuloviq (27), a Bosniac, were wounded. PRIZREN: The trial against Sava Matiq from the village of Ho?a e Madhe near Rahovec, who was accused for war crimes against the Albanian population in this municipality, ended at the district court in Prizren. The board of judges, which was chaired by Daniel Gruja (from Rumania), dropped the charges on the implication of Sava Matiq in the killing of 42 Albanian civilians in Krusha e Madhe. He was sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment for having inflicted "light wounds to two persons". After the verdict was declared, there were protests from the witnesses, the families of the killed and people present in the court. Police intervened in order to calm the situation. MALISHEVA: Jahir Mazreku from the village of Gurishta (Guriq), who was arrested in 1998, was released from the prison in Pozharevc. PRISHTINA: According to the ICRC, an Albanian prisoner from the municipality of Prizren was released from the prison in Nish. VITI: The corpse of Ymer Shabiu (1968) from the village of Lugishta was found at the place called dy varrezat e Kabashit, in the vicinity of the border between Kosova and Macedonia. Ymer went missing on March 29, 1999. January 30 MITROVICA: At 4 p.m., the protests of the Albanian citizens in the southern part of Mitrovica escalated to clashes with KFOR soldiers. Fire was set to 3 KFOR vehicles and one vehicle of the UNMIK police. A number of vehicles, which were parked in front of the UNMIK building, were damaged. A number of protestors had to ask for medical assistance due to the use of tear gas. 3 French soldiers and one Serb (Dragan Stanojeviq), working with the OSCE, were injured. Tear gas was thrown inside the flat of Bahrije Rizah Syla (48) in the "Qendra 2" quarter. A number of Serbs gathered in the northern part of the town and provoked the Albanian protestors. At 5 p.m., a group of Albanian protestors headed towards the Orthodox Church. Greek soldiers used their guns to disperse the protestors, who threw stones at them. Greek soldiers opened fire towards the car of Lavdim Bajram Hoxha (24). Bujar Sadri Peci (18) from "Kodra e Minator?ve" was detained and punched by Greek soldiers. 15 minutes later he was released. Fire was set to a Serbian house in the vicinity of the Orthodox Church. At 9 p.m., 2 families were evicted from their flats in the "Ibri" quarter. One of them was the family of Dervish Sokoloviq, a Bosniac. Serbs opened fire towards the house of Dr. Shaqir Beqir Demiri (50) in the "Qendra 2" quarter. Lavdim Mursel Ibishi (21) and Fidan Xhafer Ibishi (15) were arrested by the UNMIK police. UNMIK police ill-treated Ilir Hajdar Krasniqi (29) from the village of Arbana (Dushanova) near Prizren. The following asked for medical assistance at the Health Care Center in Mitrovica: Shk?lzen Selimi (17), Xhezide Monovi (27), Labinot Salihu (24), Faton Azemi (19), Petrit Ibrahimi (18), Luan Prekazi (20), Nezahate Hajrizi (20), Avni Ahmeti (20), Ferki ?itaku (21), Valon Morina (16), Kemail Jonuzi (16), Vehbi Trep?a (16), Izet Xhemaili (19), Limon Shyti (18), Bashkim Avdyli (14), Bejtush Cimili (20), Shkelzen Mustafa (17), Arsim Hajdini (21), Mustaf? Zajmi (18), Avni Islami (14), Fisnik Ka?aniku (19), Vergim Sylejmani (33), Petrit Ibrahimi (18), Kadri Shala (19), Shaban Rexhepi (21), Shelzen Selmani (22), Xhem? Hashani (21), Arben Isa (22), Rrahim Kelmendi (23), Blerim Jashari (19), Bashkim Avdi Avdyli (34), Fahredin Ragip Hajra (20), Fisnik Agim Ka?aniku (19), Nazim Ramadan Uka (24) and Mustaf? Zajmi (18) from Mitrovica; Driton Lahu (17), Blerim Jashari (19) and Jeton Lah Jashari (22) from Venar (Vinarc) i Posht?m; Vehbi Ujkani (16) from Venar (Vinarc) i Ep?rm; Ferit Ibrahimi (24) and Burim Kadriu (14) from Sylan (Shupkoc); Zymer Peci (40) and Nysret Musli Peci (18) from Zhazha; Kujtim Shosholli (17) from K?iq i Madh; Bekim Beka (22) from Gushavc; Rafet Osmani (22) from Fushib?r (Zhabar) i Posht?m; Zenel Zeneli (15) from Mazaj (Mazhiq); Driton Peci (14) from Rrahina (Rahova); Vllaznim Rama (32) from Tejib?r (Suhadoll) and Sadik Sogaqi (15) from Gramsh (Pirq) ? from the municipality of Mitrovica, and Nexhmedin Ismaili from Vushtrria and Limon Isa Shyti (28) from Ashlan near Vushtrri and Syl? Koca (14) from Hasanprishtina (Polac) near Sk?nderaj. PRISHTINA: According to the ICRC, an Albanian prisoner from the municipality of Prishtina was released from the prison in Nish. January 31 MITROVICA: Thousands of Albanians continued their protests in Mitrovica. The protestors, who had gathered in the vicinity of the Ibri Bridge, threw stones at KFOR soldiers. KFOR soldiers used tear gas to disperse the protestors. During the intervention of the French soldiers the flats of the following were damaged: Burhan Qazim Kalaveshi (60), Remzi Mehmet Jolla (57), Shemsedin Shaban Hajdari, Agim Rifat Deva, Mursel Hajriz Dibrani and Dervish Rrustem Musa. Hajrije Bislim Dibrani (50) and Lota Burhan Kalaveshi (2) suffered body injuries. 14 French soldiers were wounded in a bomb blast (one seriously). According to the Sub-CDHRF in Mitrovica some 100 protestors and 23 KFOR soldiers were injured. The following were injured: Erhad Rokoteli (22), Lulzim Rokoteli (29), Idriz Morina (22), Fehmi Tahiri (19), Shaban Mani (30), Tahir Tahiri (20), Adem Beqiri (20), Remzije Sahiti (36), Sanije Meha (30), Nehat Murati (17), Fitore Hasani (14), Faton Jashari (17), Hazir Beqiri (27), Shaban Bala (18), Qenan Nuka (29), Jeton Duraku (23), Lavdim Selmani (20), Bashkim Mernica (17), Halim Hasani (32), Izedin Krasniqi (31) ? a journalist; Rafet Jusufi (26), Besnik Lahu (17), Adem Beqiri (28), Arban Sahiti (24), Shemsedin Rushi (30), Fisnik Hyseni (10), Abit Kelmendi (22), Naser Kurti (19), Shpend Meha (26), Pajazit Avdiu (37), Burim Beshiri (20), Hakif Mehmeti (20), Qazim Bala (45), Naser Meholli (25), Enver Tahiri (16), Tefik Musa (16), Enis Latifi (16), Imer Ukelli (20), Habib Kadriu (23), Pajazit Aziz Avdiu (32), Nehat Hajzer Murati (17), Izet Shabani (20), Lavdim Selimi (18), Elez Elshani (36), Bajram Zena (52), Jakup Jakupi (42), Muharrem Muharremi (40), Naim Zeka (22), Bajram Shala (10), ?erkin Mustafa (29), G?zim Cimili (29), Safet Osmani (24), Ilmi Hasani (37), Ergin Rexhepi (20), Rexhep Kurti (26), Reshat Sadiku (18), Shemsedin Rushiti (30), Arsim Dajaku (23), Agron Tahiri (21), Avdullah Ibrahimi (18), Sebush ?eliku (33), Naser Kurti (20), Ramadan Vejaku (26), Shaqir Shaqiri (65), Izet Tahiri (19), Driton Baruti (22) and Sadat Sarra?i from Mitrovica; Lavdim Deliu (21), Petrit Jonuzi (26), Qazim Brahimi (44) and Mehdi Ismaili (18) from K?iq i Madh; Murat Aliu (20), Agim Ferati (30) and Artan Meha (23) from Shipol; Xhavit Xhafa (18) and Vehbi Xhafa (22) from Bare; Faton Trep?a (21) and G?zim Begolli (16) from Trep?a; Nebih Osmani (27) from Fushib?r (Zhabar); Nebih Emini from Fushib?r (Zhabar) i Posht?m; Hysni Ahmeti (44) from Tejib?r (Suhadoll); Halil Meholli (22) from Tuneli i Par? and Fejz? Ademi (25) from Ropica ? (municipality of Mitrovica), and Garentina Kraja (22), a journalist of the "Koha Ditore" daily and Sylejman Kllokoqi (42), a journalist from Prishtina; Arben Klinaku (20) and Izet Haliti (32) from Vushtrri and Diar Tha?i (18) from Sk?nderaj. At 15.00, the families of Muharrem Bajram Jusufi (62) and Selvete Abrashi were evicted from their flats in the "Ibri" quarter. At 18.00, the families of Esat Baruti (65), Berat Baruti and Hadije Zhubi (53) were evicted from their flats. Presheva, Bujanoc, Medvegja PRESHEVA: On January 23, at about 23.00, there was a powerful blast at the "Valoni-Petrol" Gas Station in the vicinity of the village of Bila?, owned by the Azizi brothers from Rahovica. BUJANOC: On January 24, a number of Albanian houses were damaged during shelling by the Serbian forces in the villages of T?rnoc and Llu?an. Isuf Murati and Nexhat Rexhepi were seriously wounded. The villagers of Shoshaja e Ep?rme fled their homes due to shelling by the Serbian police and military forces. A number of Albanian houses were damaged. Prishtina, February 1, 2001 Information Service From mentor at alb-net.com Sun Feb 18 23:31:19 2001 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 23:31:19 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Kcc-News] Albania, Kosovo leaders condemn murder of Serbs (UPI, 17 February 2001) Message-ID: http://www.vny.com/cf/News/upidetail.cfm?QID=160890 Albania, Kosovo leaders condemn murder of Serbs Saturday, 17 February 2001 1:52 (ET) TIRANA, Albania, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Albania's government and Kosovo Albanian leaders Friday reacted sharply to the bomb attack that killed seven Serbs and injured 43 others. "We strongly condemn this ugly and unacceptable criminal act that does not serve the process of stabilisation in Kosovo," the Albanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The statement pleaded with ethnic Albanians "to not become a prey of extremists' provocations, even those of Albanians." The Tirana government condemned the acts as criminal "damage to the efforts of Albanian political parties and the international community that are trying to create a climate of confidence that is very important for Kosovo's future and regional security." During a short visit last week in Tirana, European Union representative Javier Solana, asked Albanian authorities to use their influence to calm the situation down in Mitrovica and Presevo Valley. Ibrahim Rugova, the main leader who won Kosovo elections, strongly condemned the killing of the Serbs, considering it "an attack against stability, peace and democracy in Kosovo, addressed against the Kosovo future." "The violence has to stop immediately because that undermines all efforts made by the Kosovo people and the international community to build a tolerant and democratic society for all citizens," said a statement issued by Rugova's office in Pristina. Democratic Party of Kosovo, the second party derived from ex-KLA members, also strongly condemned the killings, calling it a "criminal act" and urged NATO's Kosovo Force and U.N. police to find and punish the criminals, whether they are Albanians or Serbs. "We strongly condemn this criminal act and ask the legal authorities to investigate as soon as possible so that the criminals face with justice. These criminals do not have (the protection of) a nationality, they are criminals and have to be sentenced," says Fatmir Limaj, a DP leader. Seven Serbs were killed, 10 critically injured and 33 others hurt by a remote control bomb exploded when a Serb convoy crossed Kosovo border close to Podujeva Friday. This is the second violent attack against Serbs within three days in Kosovo. A KFOR spokesman said they have arrested two people in connection with the bombings, and KFOR has increased security measures to avoid clashes between Serbs and Albanians. -- Copyright 2001 by United Press International.