Press Briefing of 11 February 2000

UNMIK Spokeswoman Ms Nadia Younes

And the Police report. Around Kosovo, since the events of late last week in and around Mitrovica, there have been an increase in explosions, arson and grenade attacks aimed at minorities or their property. Most resulted in no injury to people, but only property damage. There is a daily report from the Police available outside the briefing room.

On other Police matters, since yesterday there were two murders in Kosovo--one near the village of Llajshure in the Pristina region, where a male of as yet undetermined ethnicity was stabbed at about 8 p.m. last night. The other incident, in Urosevac, involved an Albanian family who were tied up in their home by 3-5 masked and armed Albanian men, who shot and killed one member of the family. The Police is investigating.

Last night, four prisoners escaped from the Pristina detention center. UNMIK police are investigating. The prisoners include a murder suspect, an armed robbery suspect, a man suspected of armed assault and an alleged thief. I understand there are profiles of the prisoners outside.

Finally, at the Pristina Airport, UNMIK police have taken over from KFOR the investigative authority. This in essence means that UNMIK police are now responsible for law and order at the airport. Their duties include arrest, investigation, internal security and immigration. Thirty-eight police officers have been deployed there. KFOR remains responsible for patrolling the airport.

KFOR Spokesman Lieutenant Commander Philip Anido

Between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. yesterday, approximately 200 Albanians gathered on both sides of the Ibar River to watch the arrival of the KFOR British troops.

Last night after 10 p.m., KFOR French troops stopped four Albanian men for breaking the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. They were found to carry three AK-47’s, five magazines and ammunition in their car. Three of the men were turned over to UNMIK Police. No additional weapons were found in the subsequent search of their homes.

Questions and answers

Q: Have you made any arrests of Serbs with regard to events of Thursday night in Mitrovica? If not, why so? There were names and pictures of Serb paramilitaries published in some local newspapers.

PA: We have not made any arrests with regard to the events in Mitrovica. The investigators are working very hard to identify the people and the situations. When I’ll have the information, I’ll pass it on.