INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED

On 14-03-02, a K-Albanian male employee of a Kosovo newspaper reported to UNMIK Police that K-Serbian KPS officers had assaulted him.

The complainant stated that he was walking along a roadway near Lipljan shortly before midnight on 13-03-02 when a marked KPS vehicle halted next to him. He alleged that two uniformed male K-Serbian KPS officers exited the vehicle and attacked him for reasons involving ethnic hatred. He was treated at hospital for minor injuries sustained in the alleged attack. An investigation was immediately started by the Pristina Regional Serious Crimes Unit.

Investigators have interviewed several acquaintances and co-workers of the complainant concerning the evening in question. They discovered the complainant was inside a café-bar in Pristina at the time he stated the incident happened.

The complainant has retracted his original statement and now claims the injuries were incurred during an altercation with a co-worker.

His allegations concerning misconduct by KPS officers have been confirmed as false.

Barry FLETCHER
Deputy Chief of Press and Public Information
Office of Press and Public Information
UNMIK Police Main HQ

__________________________________________________________________
For additional information, contact the UNMIK Police Office of Press and Public Information at Police MHQ in Pristina: Tel. (+381)-38-504-604-5071, FAX 5073