FEUILLETON Pogrom 2004 - first time on organizers and instigators (3): "The Serbs should be expelled"

The Security and Information Agency of Serbia has prepared a publication titled "March Pogrom of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija in 2004" on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the pogrom against the Serbs in Kosovo. As stated in it, the data contained therein for the first time point to the real organizers and perpetrators of the pogrom. Kosovo Online is publishing integral parts of this publication.

In Lipljan, as a compact Serbian community, Albanian extremists were organized systematically to expel the Serbs and systematically destroy their property. The attack was organized and directed by Shukri Buja, Heset Sahiti, and Fitim Selimi on behalf of the Association of Veterans of the former KLA, Ajvaz Korpuzi representing the Association of War Invalids of the former KLA, Ramiz Qeriqi, a prominent member of the former KLA, Elmi Recica from Urosevac, deputy chief of the SHIK, who led groups of extremists that systematically set fire to Serbian houses, looted, and attacked the Serbs to provoke maximum chaos.

Significant roles were also played by: Enver Duraku, who organized the attack on the Serbs in the village of Staro Gracko, municipality of Lipljan, Kadri Bitiqi, Vebi Zeqiri, Hasan Luma, Rahman Oluri, Ali and Adem Vehapi.

On the night between March 17 and 18, in the private restaurant "Roma" in Lipljan, owned by a former member of the KLA, a meeting was held where it was concluded that this was a unique opportunity to expel the Serbs from the municipality of Lipljan and generally from the entire Province, as well as to make it clear to representatives of the international community that the solution to the issue of the status of Kosovo and Metohija can only lead to independence. The meeting was chaired by Shukri Buja, who clearly ordered those present that "the Serbs should be expelled" and announced further guidelines for action, which were decided at a higher level, and at this meeting, all former brigade commanders of the KLA, led by Shukri Buja, were present, as well as Elmi Recica with the leaders of his armed groups.

The next day, March 18, as agreed the previous night, a crowd gathered in the center of Lipljan, in front of the municipality building at 12 o'clock, led by Shukri Buja towards the Serbian villages of Caglavica and Gracanica, aiming to cut off and block the road between Serbian villages in this area.

At the intersection of the roads Lipljan-Janjevo-Pristina-Urosevac, they were met by strong forces of the KFOR contingent from Finland, who prevented their further advance and sent them back to Lipljan, where they continued with destructive demonstrations led by Heset Sahiti and Fitim Selimi.

In Pristina on March 18, Albanian extremists entered a building constructed under the "UN program" in the Ulpiana neighborhood, where several remaining Serbian families were housed, with violence allowed by Kosovo Police (KPS) officers who facilitated the entry of extremists into the buildings. After several attempts, KFOR forces managed to evacuate the endangered Serbs to their base, and Serbian nationals employed in the UNMIK administration were transferred to the area of Central Serbia. The Church of Saint Nicholas in Pristina was set on fire immediately after Italian soldiers evacuated the priest and five Serbian civilians.

The Serbs from Gracanica erected barricades and obstacles on the road to Pristina, as several hundred armed Albanians from the Pristina neighborhood of Hajvalia headed towards Gracanica. Barricades were also set up in the nearby village of Kisnica towards Gnjilane, where clashes with Albanian extremists also occurred in the morning hours. KFOR representatives suggested to the Serbs from Gracanica on March 17 to arm themselves and defend themselves, citing that KFOR units were unable to protect their lives.

In Podujevo, Naim Fetahu, the President of the branch of the PDK, scheduled a meeting at 12 o'clock on March 17 at the fast-food restaurant "Breca" in Podujevo, attended by certain individuals: Hamdi, the owner of a plastic products sales company in Pristina, who was also a financier of the PDK and the SHIK in Pristina, Remi Smajlovica from the village of Bajcina, municipality of Podujevo, a member of the Kosovo Protection Corps, Avdi Beluli, known as Babloku, Nebi Beluli from Podujevo, Pajazit Demoli from the village of Breca, municipality of Podujevo, Naser Lapashtica, known as Gjeljbrim from the village of Lapashtica, municipality of Podujevo, and Ramadan Demoli from the village of Obrance, municipality of Podujevo. It was announced at the meeting that protests in Podujevo and all other agreed-upon armed activities would proceed according to plan.

Simultaneously with these extremist activities, a group of 20 to 25 people gathered at the café "Pranvera" in Podujevo, owned by Samet Arifi. They closed the café and the attendees wore black uniforms and distributed weapons. From there, they departed in black jeeps without license plates in two directions.

One group headed towards the village of Kacandoll near Shala e Bajgores, in the direction of Kosovska Mitrovica, while the other group headed towards Podujevo – Vucitrn, to Mount Cicevica, in order to occupy checkpoints from where they would continue armed actions.

Significant roles in these activities were also played by: Ilber Potera, Faik Durmishi, Arijan Cakiqi, and Xhemajl Arifi.

A group led by Pajazit Demoli from Podujevo set fire to the Orthodox Church of Saint Andrew in Podujevo, among others, including Hamit Kodraljija, Sejdi Rizani, Shaqir Gjergji, Rahim Xhemajlji, and Jashar Jashari, who took the bell from the church.

The Orthodox cemetery was completely destroyed. According to the testimony of Czech KFOR soldiers, Albanian extremists dug up coffins from graves, scattered bones, and smashed tombstones.

In Prizren, preparations for the March Pogrom began about ten days before March 17, organized by Zafir Berisha, president of the Association of Veterans of the former KLA, Samedin Gjezairi, Sadik Haljitjahaj, Gjimshit Krasniqi, Nait Hasani, Halil Cadraku, Qazim Taqi, Agim Muqaj, with one of the most extreme demonstrators being Gani Hazeraj.

During March 17 in the area of Prizren, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin of Ljevis, dating back to the 12th century, the Church of St. Savior from the 14th century, the Cathedral of St. Great Martyr George from the 19th century, the Church of St. Nicholas Tutic from the 14th century, the Church of St. George Runovic from the 15th century, the Church of the Holy Sunday from the 14th century, the Church of St. Panteleimon from the same period, and the Church of St. Cosmas and Damian from the 14th century were burned down. The Monastery of the Holy Archangels was also set on fire, and the brotherhood of seven monks was evacuated.

At the same time, buildings of the Seminary "Cyril and Methodius" and the Episcopate building, which housed the headquarters of the Bishop of Raska and Prizren, were set on fire by Albanian extremists. In the basement of the burned Seminary, the charred body of Dragan Nedeljkovic from Prizren was found.

The attack on the Serbs in the village of Musnikovo and the burning of their property were organized by Ferid Dila, Alen Mesinovic, Ibraim, and Imer Smaili.

The demonstrators were, among other things, directed through the TV station "Besa", owned by Muamer Fusha, a radical Islamist.

In Vitina, the March Pogrom was organized by Naser Azemi from the village of Begunce, municipality of Vitina, president of the branch of the The National Movement of Kosovo in Vitina, Daut Xhemali, also from the village of Begunce, municipality of Vitina, who was the president of the branch of the PDK in Vitina at that time, Skenderbeg Hebibi from the village of Ljubiste, municipality of Vitina, former vice president of the branch of the PDK in Vitina, who later joined the AAK and was elected president of the branch in Vitina, Emrush Azizi from the village of Smira, municipality of Vitina, Fadil Jetishi from the village of Smira, municipality of Vitina, a member of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS), Izet Ramadani, then serving as the director of "Electric Distribution" in Vitina, who financially supported violent protests in Vitina through the funds of this company, Xhavit Haziri from the village of Podgorce, municipality of Vitina, a member of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS), and president of the Association of Political Prisoners in Vitina, and his uncle Rifat Haziri.

Significant roles were also played by: Hoxha Maliqi and Sinan Metulahu from the village of Gusica, municipality of Vitina, who, as members of the SHIK, participated in organizing the March Pogrom of the Serbs in this municipality through their network of collaborators, as well as Heset Hiseni, Nazmi Sula, Samet Dalipi, Musa Misin, Sabri Fetahu, Bardhyl Fetahi, Visar Demiri, Nuhi Ibush, Hajriz Jakupi, Qemajl Rexhepi, and others.

In Gnjilane, the March Pogrom was organized by: Ismal Kurteshi from Gnjilane, Shaqir Shaqiri from the village of Depce, municipality of Presevo, who resides in Gnjilane, the former president of the Association of Veterans of the former KLA, Saban Musliu, a former member of the Yugoslav People’s Army who served in Sarajevo and during the operations of the KLA was the spokesman for the commander Hashim Thaci, Hajrush Kurta, the commander of the former 363 KLA brigade, Memet Fejzulahu from Ugljare, municipality of Gnjilane, a then active member of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS).

Very significant roles were also played by: Ismet Sulejmani, Rexhep Alia, Halil Selimi, Ahmet Daka, Xhevdet Musliu, Gafur Sula, Lulzim Kqiku, Muhamed Limani, Fejzula Avdili, Esat Kadriji, Fatmir Krasniqi, Dalus Musliu, Zija Rexhepi, Enver Veseli, Xhafer Veseli, Shukri Sherifi, Ismail Ibishi, Rafet Ibishi, Faik Jonuzi, Agmir Zeynullah, Arben Hoxha, Sabedin Kadriu, Musa Nazmi, Kushtrim Ramusi, and Vulnet Imeri.

Additionally, participants in violent protests and attacks on the Serbs included members of a group of Albanian terrorists from southern Central Serbia, assembled by Muhamet Gjemaili, known as Robell, which also included Spetim Bitiqi. This group was active in the vicinity of the Orthodox church, and before burning houses, they looted movable property. Moreover, active participation in protests was noted by Junuz Musliu, Lirim Jakupi, Lulzim Ibishi, and Rahman Saqiri.

During the March Pogrom, an illegal group called the Black Eagles from Kosovska Kamenica operated in the Gnjilane area, led by Iljaz Rulani, with members including Mehmet Kalaba, Fisnik Krueziu, Agim Rulani, Halil Tosku, Besim Krueziu, and Destan Kalaba, actively involved in violence.

In early April 2004, KFOR members arrested Saqip Brahimin and Xheladin Salihi from the village of Madjere, municipality of Presevo, in Gnjilane on suspicion of murdering Slobodan Peric.

In Urosevac, the March Pogrom was organized by Nehat Mustafa, originally from the municipality of Vitina but residing in Urosevac, Gzim Haxhimusa, the leader of the illegal Albanian security service – SHIK in the municipality of Urosevac, and Arijan Imeri, also from Urosevac. Their activities were precisely defined by Elmi Recica, the deputy chief of SHIK, who during the pogrom was located in Lipljan with his armed groups.

During the March Pogrom, coordination of activities was particularly carried out through the Intelligence Service of Albania, through their member Maksim Feraj from Tirana, with regional SHIK leaders in Urosevac and throughout the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. They also played an active organizational role, including Emrush Xhemajli, leader of the National Movement of Kosovo, Imri Ilazi, commander of the former so-called IV zone of the KLA, close associate of Emrus Xhemajli, Amet Vishi, former commander of the KLA brigade in Urosevac, Qamil Xhemajli, the biological brother of Emrush Xhemajli, Gafur Bitiqi, Imer Gavazi, Remzi Hasani, Semsi Kamenica, Ilber Topali, Nehat Mustafa, Ismet Sadiku, Suljejman Bitiqi, Gjavit Zariqi, Qamil Sabani, Lulzim Aliu, Hazir Gasi, Ismail Kurtesi, Gani Mustafa, Nazmi Krasniqi, Sahit Krasniqi, Faik Haliti, and Astrit Haliti.

In Kosovska Kamenica, the March Pogrom was organized by: Emin Krasniqi, Bajram Drmaku, Begzat Sinani, Spejtim Krasniqi, president of the Association of Veterans of the KLA, Raif Gasi, president of the Association of War Invalids of the KLA, Enver Mavriwi, Ali Hoxha, and Sefik Sadiku.

In addition to them, very active roles in demolishing, burning, and mistreating the Serbs were played by: Besnik Selimi, known as Zhuqa, who dragged Jugoslav Savic from the village of Recane, municipality of Kosovska Kamenica, alongside cars, and who was then brutally beaten, sustaining serious injuries and receiving medical treatment in a hospital in Vranje, Edmond Kamberi, Fadil Kecmezi, Nezir Kalaba, Ramadan Musliu, Mehmet Leci, Xhelal Mulaj, Milaim Limani, known as Commander Xhaxhi, Florim Ram, known as Commander Rushi, Mefail Selista, Hevzi Pireva, Shurete Kastrati, president of the branch of National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo for Kosovska Kamenica, Esat Krasniqi, president of the branch of the National Movement of Kosovo for the municipality of Kosovska Kamenica, Basri Sulejmani, and others.

Tomorrow: Obilic cleansed of the Serbs