The uncertain fate of those kidnapped in Kosovo, families have been searching for the truth for 24 years

During the conflict in Kosovo, members of the KLA committed many crimes against Serbs, and the situation has not changed even when international forces arrived in Kosovo. Today, many families are still seeking justice and seeking to finally know the fate of their loved ones who were kidnapped, RTS reports.

The Milenkovic and Ristic families from Pristina and Kosovo Polje have been searching for the truth for 24 years.

On August 2, 1999, four Albanians, members of the KLA, broke into the Milenkovic family's home, killed Momcilo, kidnapped his younger son Svetomir, and subjected his daughter Jorgovanka to torture and rape in the presence of her eight-year-old daughter.

They took money, gold, and other valuables from the house. For the murder of Momcilo Milenkovic, their neighbor Burim Dibrani was sentenced to six years in prison when he was 18 years old.

"He was in prison and then released, no crime was proven against him. He assumed a different, fake name and escaped to France. He was arrested in Paris and extradited back. The trial started in 2005. He was sentenced to six years, served three years, and was released, claiming he didn't know what he was doing," Budimir Milenkovic, son of the murdered Momcilo and brother of the missing Svetomir, said.

Jorgovanka, the surviving sister who was tortured, lost her eyesight and passed away a few years ago, and her brother Svetomir has never been found.

Javorka Milenkovic, from the village of Mekis near Doljevac, says they went to court.

"I don't know anything about my brother, where he is, or his whereabouts. Around 500 plaques with the names of unknown individuals are at Dragodansko Hill in Pristina, where they are buried," Budimir Milenkovic said.

Gordana Ristic from Kosovo Polje is still searching for her son Davor, who disappeared on June 22, 1999, on the road between Kosovo Polje and Pristina.

Hoping to see her son again, she gave 8,000 German marks to an Albanian who promised to return Davor, but after taking the money, he never appeared again.

"We heard that they were taken on a ship and first kept as captives. They didn't torture the young ones to preserve their organs for extraction. They took them on a ship, and a helicopter brought them to the ship, where their organs were removed while they were alive. When we heard that, believe me, it was devastating. We don't know what to do, at least if they gave us his bones so I could know that I buried him," Gordana Ristic, mother of the missing Davor Ristic, said.

She sought help from KFOR, UNMIK, and the International Red Cross, but in vain - Davor never returned home.

Gordana also lost her brother-in-law, Milutin Ristic, who was killed in Slovinje, and due to her tragedies, she has been actively involved in the Association of Kidnapped and Missing Persons for years.

Her work has been hindered since the Association no longer has an office, so her small room serves as the office as well.