Verification of Information about the Mass Grave in Kalludër e Vogël/Mala Kaludra Took More Than Two Decades

Information about a possible mass grave in the village of Kalludër e Vogël/Mala Kaludra, in the municipality of Zubin Potok, Kosovo, has been publicly available since 7 January 2013, when the Albanian-language daily Zëri published an article containing a statement by a Serb, Ranko Tepavac, about the killing of 23 Albanian civilians and the secret burial of their bodies in the valley of Kalludër e Vogël/Mala Kaludra. He gave the statement to UNMIK investigators and the Kosovo Police on 7 February 2003.

 

In his statement in Serbian, Tepavac described in detail the events of 19 April 1999: during the war, he was staying in Velika Kaludra; he saw a group of Albanian civilians who had been stopped by Jovica Utvić’s group from Kalludër e Vogël/Mala Kaludra; Jovica took their money and valuables, promising to let them continue towards Ulcinj; he then ordered them to turn around and, when they did so, opened fire and killed them; someone present immediately informed the police, who came to the village and ordered: “Bury those you killed.”

 

The Humanitarian Law Center and the Humanitarian Law Center Kosovo have no information about how UNMIK and the Kosovo Police proceeded after learning about the killing of 23 Albanians and the mass grave in the village of Kalludër e Vogël/Mala Kaludra.

 

However, in 2024, HLC and HLCK published detailed research on the event in the second volume of the Kosovo Memory Book, entitled Dignity for the Missing.

 

In early April 1999, word spread among Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) activists in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica that the Serbian police had begun arresting prominent members of the party. For that reason, a group of activists, including Faruk Spahiu [Mayor of South Mitrovica from 2000 to 2005], Adem Beqiri, Adem Ademi, Sahit Berani, Hasan Dërvari and Demir Ahmeti, decided to take shelter in the village of Kotorr/Kotore.

 

In the village, they met Xhafer Behrami, with whom they discussed whether he, as someone with a good knowledge of the terrain, could lead them across the mountains to Montenegro. They were also joined by Shaip Ujkani, Tahir Mëziu, Xhevdet Mëziu, Salih Mëziu, Naser Mëziu, Zymer Mëziu, Selim Mëziu, Shaqir Mëziu, Samir Mëziu, Bekim Mëziu, Xhemail Mëziu, Mahit Ujkani, Faton Ujkani, Shkëlzen Ujkani and Nazim Ujkani.

 

On 19 April 1999, they set out from Kotorr/Kotore towards Montenegro. They walked through the mountains for several hours. Around midnight, they saw some lights. Some members of the group became frightened and began to run. In a statement Faruk Spahiu gave to HLC in 2001, it is recorded that, upon seeing the lights, he lay down on the ground and did not move. Ismet Ferizi and Xhevat Llausha also lay down. It was quiet, and nothing could be heard. They did not know where they were. He does not remember how long they remained still at that location. When they got up, they headed west. They did not see anyone else from the group. They walked for several hours until they reached a village. They entered an empty house and spent the night there. The following day, they continued west. After walking for several hours, they came upon another village. There, they met a local resident. He was a Serb. They asked him where they were, and he told them they were in Zubin Potok. Faruk asked whether he knew anyone who could drive them to Montenegro for payment. He said that he did not know anyone and that it would be better for them to report to the police station.

 

They continued on. A vehicle approached them. An armed civilian got out and, at gunpoint, took them to the police station. After several hours of questioning, they were released. A police officer drove them to Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica.

 

In a statement he gave to an HLCK researcher in 2021, Xhafer Behrami said that a group of men from Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica came to Kotorr/Kotore in mid-April 1999 and asked for his help in reaching Montenegro. He knew the terrain well because, even before the war, he had cut wood in the forests in that area. He knew that they could travel as far as the village of Kërligatë/Krligate, but that it was not safe to go any farther. He was armed with an automatic rifle. Shaban Abazi, also a KLA member and armed with grenades, went with him.

 

Behrami stated that he had warned the group that taking that route was extremely dangerous, but they all insisted on setting out at any cost. He knew Dr Ademi. When they set out at around 3 p.m. on 19 April 1999, other groups of three or four people began joining them as they passed by the village river. Idriz Rrecaj, whom he also knew, joined them as they were leaving the village.

 

They set out through the forest around the village and walked throughout the night, passing through the forests of the village of Prevllak/Prevlak. As they walked, they noticed a light in the distance and, fearing that it was the Serbian forces, they panicked and split up.

 

According to Xhafer, they called out to one another but could not hear each other because of the wind. They regrouped about twenty minutes later. They saw that Xhevat Llausha, Faruk Spahiu and Ismet Ferizi were missing. They continued without them towards the village of Kalludër e Vogël/Mala Kaludra. Idriz Rrecaj was at the back of the column because he had difficulty walking, while Demir Ahmeti and Shaban Abazi reached the top of the forest. From there, they saw Serbs on the opposite hill. Someone shouted, “Run!”, followed by a single rifle shot and the command, “Stop!” Xhafer saw Demir Ahmeti and Shaban Abazi running away. The others turned back towards the stream, while he ran after Demir and Shaban. When they reached the area near the village of Dren, Demir insisted that they surrender. Xhafer stated that he and Shaban opposed this because they were armed. They noticed a civilian car travelling along the paved road. Demir decided to surrender and headed towards the house of a Serb forester who had worked with his father. Xhafer stated that he saw and heard Demir calling the forester by the name “Lane”. They did not hear any gunfire. In the distance, they saw some men mowing grass and heard cowbells. The following day, Xhafer reached Kotorr/Kotore, followed by Shaban Abazi. After the war, he learned that Xhevat, Faruk and Ismet, who had become separated from the group that night, had survived.

 

People Remember People

 

Idriz Rrecaj completed a two-year teacher-training college and then graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture. Until 1990, he worked at the Produkt agricultural cooperative in Skënderaj/Srbica, when he was dismissed following the introduction of emergency measures in public enterprises. He was an activist and a founder of the LDK branch in Skënderaj/Srbica. Idriz was also involved in the KLA as an adviser to Jetullah Geci, commander of the 112th “Arben Haliti” Brigade. He was married to Xhyla. They had four daughters—Valbona, Fatbardha, Fatmire and Flora—and three sons—Gazmend, Fidaim and Shpetim. Their daughter Valbona and son Gazmend lived in Switzerland. The ICRC list records Idriz’s disappearance under reference number BLG-801490-01.

Adem Ademi was an abdominal surgeon. He served as head of the Surgical Department at the hospital in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica until 1990, when he was dismissed following the introduction of emergency measures in public enterprises. He opened a private practice, Avicena. He also worked pro bono at the Mother Teresa clinic in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica. He lived on Sutjeska Street, in the northern part of Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica, with his wife Zyhra and younger son Erblin, while his son Ilir and daughter Ilirijana lived in London. Adem was an LDK activist. Erblin, who was nine years old when he last saw his father, remembers that his father left the apartment on 23 March 1999, while he and his mother remained there. After the war, Adem’s wife investigated his disappearance and that of the others and visited the places along the group’s route, but obtained no information about what had happened. The ICRC list records Adem’s disappearance under reference number BLG-801704-01.

Adem Beqiri completed a two-year teacher-training college and worked as secretary of the Skenderbeu Primary School in the village of Pantinë/Pantina. He was an LDK activist. He was married to Halime. They had two sons—Mentor and Arian—and a daughter, Lindita. Their son Albert lived in Germany. They lived in the Ferat Dragaj neighbourhood of Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica. Dr Ademi was their neighbour. The ICRC list records Adem’s disappearance under reference number BLG-800871-01.

Ali Halitaj graduated from the Faculty of Law. He worked at the Social Welfare Institute in Skënderaj/Srbica until early 1999, when he left his job because of pressure from Albanians over his employment at a state institution. He was married to Hyla. They had three daughters—Qerimja, Albulena and Shkurta—and two sons—Remzi and Liridon. They lived in the village of Kostërc/Kostrc. His wife last saw him on 12 April 1999, when Serbian forces shelled the village. He went towards the forests with Fatmir and other men. Ali’s sister was married to Fatmir Fazlia. The ICRC list records Ali’s disappearance under reference number BLG-802252-01.

Hasan Dërvari graduated from the Faculty of Engineering and worked as a chemistry teacher at the technical secondary school in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica. He had been an LDK activist since 1989. He was married to Vahide. They had two daughters—Jehona and Vjosa—and two sons—Bajrush and Rinor. The ICRC list records Hasan’s disappearance under reference number BLG-800968-01. Hasan’s wife Vahide was Sahit Berani’s sister.

Sahit Berani completed technical secondary school. He worked at the Trepča mine until 1990, when he was dismissed following the introduction of emergency measures in public enterprises. He briefly worked as a taxi driver. He lived in the Tavnik neighbourhood with his wife Bukurije, their sons Endrit, Astrit and Petrit, his mother and his sister Sebahate. His father Rushit died before the war in Kosovo. The ICRC list records Sahit’s disappearance under reference number BLG-801413-01.

Demir Ahmeti graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy and taught history at the Anton Çeta Secondary School in Skënderaj/Srbica until 1998, when he left his job and joined the KLA. After the brigades were formed, he became a member of the 112th “Arben Haliti” Brigade. He was married to Qerime. They had two sons, Arian and Arlind. They lived in an extended household with his parents and his brothers Sabit and Jahar, who was married at the time of the war. The ICRC list records Demir’s disappearance under reference number BLG-803591-01.

Fatmir Fazlia graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Prishtinë/Priština. He worked as a general practitioner at the Mother Teresa clinic in Skënderaj/Srbica. At the same time, he taught at the branch of the secondary medical school in the village of Polac/Poljance. Fatmir was also involved in the KLA as a physician. He was married to Sanije, Ali’s sister. They had a son, Lorik, and two daughters, Aulona and Flaka. They lived in the village of Turiqec/Turićevac with Fatmir’s parents and his sisters Aferdita and Lindita. The ICRC list records Fatmir’s disappearance under reference number BLG-800893-01.

Shaip Ujkani found employment at the socially owned enterprise Lux after completing secondary school of economics. He worked as a shop assistant in the village of Vinarc i Poshtëm/Donje Vinarce until the company closed, before the outbreak of the war. He then opened a private shop, where he worked until early 1999, when he closed it because of the war. He lived in the village of Vinarc i Poshtëm/Donje Vinarce with his parents, his brother Mahit and his sister Sadete.

Mahit Ujkani completed secondary school of economics within the parallel education system.

Nazim Ujkani was in the first year of secondary school of economics within the parallel education system. He lived with his parents and his sisters Jehona and Lindita. Shaip and Mahit’s father, Halil, remembers that on 16 April his sons and nephews went to the village of Kotorr/Kotore together with Adem Beqiri, Sahit Berani, Hasan Dërvari and Demir Ahmeti.

Faton Ujkani was a first-year student at the Faculty of Engineering in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica. He lived with his parents, his brother Shkëlzen and his sister Albulena.

Shkëlzen Ujkani was in the first year of the Hasan Prishtina Secondary School of Economics. Classes were held in private homes and primary school buildings. The ICRC list records Shaip’s disappearance under reference number BLG-803590-01, Mahit’s under BLG-803590-02, Nazim’s under BLG-803589-01, Faton’s under BLG-803588-02 and Shkëlzen’s under BLG-803588-01.

The brothers Shaqir, Samir and Xhemail Mëziu lived with their parents in the village of Marinë/Marina. Shaqir began university studies but discontinued them and worked outside Kosovo for several years. After returning in 1997, he was unemployed. Samir was also unemployed. Xhemail attended secondary school within the parallel education system. The ICRC list records Shaqir’s disappearance under reference number BLG-802196-01, Samir’s under BLG-802196-02 and Xhemail’s under BLG-802196-03.

Salih Mëziu was married to Naile. They had three sons—Mentor, Kushtrim and Tomor—and two daughters—Liridona and Shqiponje, who was born on 20 March 1999, while Naile and the children were staying with Salih’s sister Feride in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica. Salih never saw her.

Naser and Zymer Mëziu, Salih’s brothers, lived with their father Osman. Their mother, Hava, died before the war. Naser occasionally worked as a construction worker. He was married to Zahide. They had two sons, Muhamet and Drilon. Zymer began university studies but later discontinued them and went to Germany to work. He returned in 1998 and married Hasime. Their son Osman was born after Zymer’s disappearance, in September 1999. Salih, Naser and Zymer’s father, Osman, was killed in the village on 2 April 1999. The ICRC list records Salih’s disappearance under reference number BLG-802197-01, Naser’s under BLG-802197-02 and Zymer’s under BLG-802197-03.

Tahir Mëziu worked for the Energoprojekt company in Belgrade until his retirement in 1998. He was married to Fatime. They had four sons—Zenel, Besim, Ajet and Xhevdet—and two daughters—Luljeta and Elheme. Their daughter Elheme was married, while their son Besim lived in Germany. The ICRC list records Tahir’s disappearance under reference number BLG-802198-01.

Xhevdet Mëziu was in the fourth year of secondary medical school in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica. Tahir’s son Zenel, who was a member of the KLA, was killed in August 1998, while his son Ajet was killed on 2 April 1999 while trying to flee Marinë/Marina. The ICRC list records Xhevdet’s disappearance under reference number BLG-802198-02.

Selim Mëziu graduated from the Faculty of Education and worked as a teacher at the Drenica Primary School in the village of Polac/Poljance. He lived in the village of Marinë/Marina with his wife Rifete, his parents, his married brother Xhavit, and his sisters Zebihane and Florie. Serbian forces killed his father Kamer and his brother Xhavit on 2 April 1999 while they were trying to flee the village. The ICRC list records Selim’s disappearance under reference number BLG-802199-01.

Bekim Mëziu completed grammar school within the parallel education system, with classes held in the village of Polac/Poljance. He lived with his parents and his sisters Sadije, Ganimete, Remzije, Miradije and Lumtrije. His brothers Avdullah and Musa lived in Germany during the war. The ICRC list records Bekim’s disappearance under reference number BLG-802200-01.

 

“Bury Those You Killed”

According to Ranko Tepavac’s statement, a resident of Kalludër e Vogël/Mala Kaludra immediately informed the police [the Secretariat of Internal Affairs in Mitrovicë/Kosovska Mitrovica and the Zubin Potok Police Station] about the killing of 23 Albanian civilians. The police came to the village and ordered: “Bury those you killed.”

 

Dehumanization of the Victims

The Serbian police knew about the crime from the day of the killings and, instead of investigating it and arresting the perpetrators, ordered that the bodies be buried. The victims were thus reduced to human remains that had to be removed and the crime concealed.

UNMIK and the Kosovo Police had information about the crime and the burial site from February 2003, but there is no evidence that they conducted an effective investigation or examined the location.

Such conduct, and the failure to act for more than two decades, represent a continuation of the dehumanization of the victims: they were denied the right to an identity and a dignified burial, while their families were denied the right to the truth, a grave and a place of remembrance.