UNMIK POLICE
PRESS RELEASE

31st October 2002

SUMMARY OF SUVA REKA MURDER CASE

On the afternoon of Sunday, 27 October 2002, Mr. Uke BYTYQI, the newly elected Municipal President of the town of Suva Reka, was driving in a celebration convoy of approximately 40 motor vehicles towards the village of Leshan. He was accompanied by a driver and two bodyguards. At about 1400 they were approaching the village when they stopped due to stones being thrown at the convoy and due to a tractor partially blocking the road.

An argument developed with a group of people, which resulted in Mr. BYTYQI and two bodyguards leaving the car to calm the situation. An armed man then produced a pistol and fired a number of shots, striking and fatally wounding Mr. BYTYQI and both bodyguards. Fire was returned at the gunman who received a minor injury to his arm. The suspect fled and later arranged for the gun to be hidden and for the tractor to be moved. Mr. BYTYQI and his colleagues were taken to Prizren hospital by private car where all were confirmed as deceased. The suspect also attended the Hospital for treatment of his wound. Police arrested him while he was being treated.

Prizren Police assembled a team of experienced investigators to examine the crime scene, locate witnesses and gather evidence. Considerable forensic evidence, including shell casings, was recovered.

The suspect was interviewed and later admitted that his nephew had hidden the gun and moved the tractor after the crime. That person was arrested on Monday, 28 October as an accessory to the murder. On Monday evening the murder weapon was recovered.

At an initial hearing before a judge in Prizren, a decision was taken to hold both men for 30 days in pre trial detention.

Investigative hearings will commence before an International Judge and during the course of those hearings all evidence relating to the commission of the crime will be presented. At the conclusion of this process the case will be returned to an International Prosecutor to determine and file the appropriate charges.

 

Derek CHAPPELL
Chief Of Press& Public Information
UNMIK Police Headquarters. .
Tel No.504-604-5071

 

Vertul Singh

Press Information Officer UNMIK Police Headquarters