UNMIK Police
Press Release

07-12-01

MURDER ARRESTS

UNMIK Police have arrested two suspects in the murders of two K-Serbian men. The crime occurred during the second half of June, 1999 in the village of Pones, about 12 kilometers North of Gnjilane in a rural & mountainous area.

According to investigators, the suspects were taken into custody subsequent to the issuance of a Warrant for their arrest by an International Judge. Both suspects were at home at the time of their arrests, which were made without incident.

Both suspects are K-Albanians and investigators belive the motive for the crime was ethnic hatred. The suspects were also reportedly members of the Kosovo Liberation Army at the time the crime occurred. However, the offense is not classified as a war crime and the suspects are charged under the standard criminal law.

The Internationl Judge supervising the case has ordered the suspects detained at least thirty days for purposes of the prosecution.


Derek CHAPPELL
Chief of Press and Public Information

Barry FLETCHER
Public Information Officer
Office of Press and Public Information
UNMIK Police HQ, Pristina