Kosova Daily Report #1325, 98-01-22

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From: Kosova Information Center <kic_pr@zana-pr.ztn.apc.org>

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1325

Prishtina, 22 January 1998

CONTENTS

[01] Serb Police Forces Crack-down Brutally against Albanian Family in Skenderaj

[02] Another Serb Regime Criminal Act in Kosova, LDK Presidency Says

[03] Serbian Police in Klina Arrest Albanian Teacher and Two Youths

[01] Serb Police Forces Crack-down Brutally against Albanian Family in Skenderaj

Two girls of the family of Jashari family, Iliriana R. Jasharaj (27) and Selvete Jasharaj (21) were wounded, while Hysen Manxholli from the neighboring village of Mikushnica was shot dead. The late Albanian was shot dead by Serb police while on his way to work in the town, sources said.

Based on the statements of members of the Jashari family and the way the household looks after the police withdrew from Prekaz village, one could easily judge that its was a full-scale attack of the Serb police, prepared in advance, aiming at destroying the entire family. The family houses of Shaban Jashari was peppered with bullets and heavy-calibre shells of all sorts. The front gate, walls, doors, windows, and the roof were destroyed. There were huge craters in the walls and carpets. Shells of grenades could been all over the courtyard and the field around the house.

Members of the Jashari family told the Kosova Information Center (KIC) reporter in Prekaz that at around 5:20 they heard shooting and explosions coming from all the parts of the courtyard. The rooms in which people were sleeping were attacked, which is but a proof that Serb forces intended to destroy without warning and indiscriminately all the people inside.

There was neither a warning nor a signal by the police, said family members. Is was nothing but a miracle we are alive Zahide Jashari (72), told KIC. When the shooting began, women grabbed the children and put them on the floor. The family Jashari numbers 30 members, most of them children.

The KIC reporter said he could count over 20 holes from bullet or shells on the walls of one room only. The two girls, Iliriana Jashari and Selvete Jashari were wouned while in an attempt to help their father who was sleeping on the upper floor of the house.

Iliriana has received slight wounds, while Selvete was wounded severely and was later taken to hospital.

Family members of Shaban Jashari said the police attacked all the three houses located in the in same yard. Grenades were also thrown at the barn and cattle stable.

After about 40 minutes the Serb police withdrew in the woods and the game ammunition factory about half a mile from the estate of Shaban Jashari.

A delegation of the Presidency of the Democratic League of Kosova went this morning to Prekaz village. Members of the LDK presidency met with the family members of Shaban Jashari.

The situation in Prekaz and Skenderaj has been extremely tense since early morning hours today. People from Prekaz and surrounding villages have been going to the scene where the Serb police attack occurred to show solidarity with the family of Shaban Jashari.

As a mater of fact the situation in the municipality of Skenderaj is very tense and anxious for many weeks now amidst continuous Serb regime threats it will attack the area so to hunt down member of the a so-called Liberation Army of Kosova, allegedly active in these areas.

A similar attack of Serb forces occurred on 26 November 1997 in three other villages of Skenderaj - Lausha, Turiqec and Vojnik - one Albanian teacher Halit Geci was shot dead at his school. His colleague Shaban Rreci and an 11-year-old boy Bahri Krasniqi received fire arms wounds.

[02] Another Serb Regime Criminal Act in Kosova, LDK Presidency Says

Following is the text of the LDK statement issued today.

"The Serb military and police retaliatory expedition against Jashari family in Prekaz is yet another criminal act. The Serbian police threw grenades and fired from automatic guns against the Jashari family, wounding two girls and causing a lot of material damage. Dozens of innocent family members were exposed to exemplary intimidation. Whereas, away from the house which was attacked the Serbian police shot dead Hysen Manxholli. This is yet another proof that terror is the principal method to maintain Serbia's presence in Kosova.

In search of compensation for the absolute political failure of its reign over Kosova, while attempting to 'stabilize' its control and eventually return the illusionary trust of hegemonistic circles that Kosova is Serbian, Serbia is launching a new wave of terror.

There is no doubt that its intention is to generate fear among Albanian population and discourage them from seeking independence.

Serbia has shown interest in aggravating the situation in Kosova and thus obstruct the current international initiatives for the settlement of the Kosova issue, which in its final stage, may only bring the end of the Serbian rule and the Serbian occupation of Kosova.

The Presidency of the Democratic league of Kosova, while denouncing the latest acts of Serbian violence and terror, is deeply convinced that the Albanian people and other peoples of Kosova and their political forces, aware of the difficulties and dangers of this crucial period in the struggle for independence, the necessity to avoid provocations and conflict Serbia has been trying to impose, as well as the firm commitment in realization of its just aspirations for liberation, will be able to overcome these difficult times, too. At the same time, the LDK appeals on the international community, primarily the U.S.A. and EU, to increase their pressure in order to bring an end to the criminal and war- mongering policy of Serbia in Kosova.

[03] Serbian Police in Klina Arrest Albanian Teacher and Two Youths

Mr. Prenaj was arrested under the orders of the commander-in-chief of the Serbian police station in Klina, since, according to him Mr. Prenaj had wet him with his car while driving on a rainy day. Mr. Prenaj was held at the police station for several hours, and was exposed to brutal torture by the Serbian commander-in-chief himself.

The police seized his car, and ordered him to report at the police station again.

Eye witnesses told Bujku correspondent it wasn't Mr. Prenaj who had wet the Serb policeman, but another driver who drove off.

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