UNMIK Police Briefing Notes
28 January, 2002

1. KPS OFFICERS RESCUE FIVE FROM FIRE

Five people escaped from a fire on Friday night due to the bravery of Kosovo Police Service officers.

At 3:00 in the morning of January 25th, a team of KPS officers on patrol in a village near Mitrovica saw a business on fire. The building was locked, so the officers forced their way in and found the shop owner asleep. They evacuated him and then continued to search the building. An additional four people were found and safely evacuated.

The officers then fought the fire, saving both the business and the building by extinguishing it.

This action is an example of what people should expect from their police, to "protect and serve" the public. People should also remember this and the many similar actions the next time they are getting a traffic ticket from a police officer.

2. ARRESTS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT

Last week in Prizren Region, a K-Albanian father reported to UNMIK Police that his 7 year-old daughter was raped on her way home from school. Police identified a suspect and arrested an 18 year-old K-Albanian male who is being held in custody.

We urge all parents to properly monitor their children and not let them wander about without supervision, as we see happening all to often.

Two weeks ago in Mitrovica Region, the rape of a 94 year-old K-Serbian woman was reported to UNMIK Police. Police identified a suspect and arrested a K-Serbian male the next day.

Further details of these crimes will not be given in order to protect the identities of the victims and their families. However, both incidents reflect the increasing confidence that people in Kosovo have in the civil authorities.
3. ARRESTS FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER

Last year, we reported the November 27th shooting of a K-Albanian man in the village of Rudnik.

Police investigated and identified two K-Albanian male suspects. On January 25th of this year, both suspects were located and arrested.

While this is not an exceptional case, it illustrates the fact that criminal investigations take time and patience. I am often asked within hours of a crime why no one has been arrested, and I can only reply that the case is under investigation. Examples such as this show "Investigation Continuing" is not a meaningless phrase.

4._COUNTERFEIT GERMAN MARKS

Last week, we warned of counterfeit DM notes that are being put into circulation as the deadline for Euro conversion approaches. DM will no longer be legal tender after February 28th.

Over the past few days, three more cases have been reported, and shopkeepers in Gnjilane and Prizren have been deceived by 500 DM notes.

We again caution the public to examine carefully any large-denomination DM notes they encounter.

END