UNMIK/PR/1048
Wednesday, 15 October 2003

Transfer of Mortal Remains from Serbia to Kosovo at Gate Three

PRISTINA - The Office on Missing Persons and Forensics (OMPF), in cooperation with the UNMIK CIVPOL Missing Persons Unit (MPU) and the Serbian authorities, has arranged for a group of bodies that have been identified by DNA, following their exhumation from mass graves at Batajnica 1 and 2, to be transferred from Serbia proper to Kosovo tomorrow (16 October).

The transfer of mortal remains between the Serbian authorities and the OMPF/MPU team will take place at Gate three (Merdare border crossing) in the OMPF transfer facility. The OMPF/MPU team will check all documentation comprising lists; autopsy reports, death and identification certificates.

The team will also confirm that the label codes of the bodies, clothing and artifacts correspond to the lists provided by the Coordination Committee for Kosovo (CCK). The mortal remains will be transported to the Rahovec/Orahovac mortuary after the verification procedure, and forensic inspections will begin there shortly afterwards.

Family members are always the first to be informed about the identification of their loved ones. Accordingly, a team consisting of an OMPF outreach officer and MPU identification officers will arrange to visit the affected families on completion of the forensic inspections. The mortal remains will then be ready for release to the families.

The victims are from the Gjakova Municipality and mainly from the Meja event, which occurred on the 27 April 1999.

For Press requiring further information regarding the handovers, please contact Office on Missing Persons and Forensics (OMPF) on 038-504-604-5153. Family members should call OMPF Outreach on 038-504-604 6576.

Please note: access to the OMPF transfer facility is restricted unless otherwise directed by OMPF representatives.