Five people have been arrested in Kosovo as part of investigations for war crimes related to the Reçak massacre, one of the most serious events of the 1998-1999 conflict. The operation was carried out by the Special Prosecutor’s Office and the Kosovo Police, while the authorities inform that the suspects are former members of the Serbian special police forces.
According to the investigations, they are suspected of having participated in the operation of January 15, 1999 in Recak, where 42 Albanian civilians lost their lives. One of the suspects was arrested at the Dheu Bardhë border point, while the other four were arrested in different areas of Kosovo.
During the checks carried out at several addresses, documents, uniforms and other materials considered important for the investigation were seized. The prosecution announced that a sixth suspect has not yet been found and is still being sought.
According to the special prosecutor Mir Morina, the new evidence obtained during the last months, including video recordings and various materials, have made it possible to identify the arrested.
He emphasized that the investigations are not aimed only at the executors, but also at the organizers and those who ordered the crimes.
The Minister of the Interior, Xelal Sveçla, declared that war crimes will not go unpunished, while the Serbian List reacted by describing the arrests as unfounded and politically motivated.
The “Reçaku II” case is considered one of the most important processes for uncovering war crimes in Kosovo, while the authorities say that the investigations will continue even further.
