Hamza on excavations in Zubin Potok: 27 years later, still searching for the truth about the missing

Bedri Hamza, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, has expressed his position following the start of excavations at a location in the municipality of Zubin Potok, where human remains and a mass grave are suspected.

According to him, Kosovo, even 27 years after the end of the conflict, continues to feel the pain of families still waiting for an answer about the fate of their missing relatives.

“Excavations for remains are taking place in Zubin Potok, following indications of a mass grave. Even after nearly three decades, we live with the suffering of waiting and the hope of learning the truth about thousands of citizens forcibly abducted during the war,” Hamza wrote.

He stressed that it is intolerable that Serbia has still not been held accountable for the atrocities of the war and that the issue of thousands of missing persons remains without a solution.

The head of PDK also referred to the trial of former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army in The Hague, emphasizing that while this process is underway, Serbia must answer before justice for war crimes.

“It is absurd that, while in The Hague we await the end of an unjust trial against former KLA commanders, Serbia has not given any account for the terrible crimes against our people and holds the truth about thousands of missing persons imprisoned,” he declared.

Hamza underlined that Mitrovica is one of the regions that has suffered severely from the consequences of the war, adding that more than 100 families from this municipality are still waiting for information about their members.

He singled out the case of 23 intellectuals from Mitrovica, who, according to him, were last seen on April 19, 1999, in the areas of Zubin Potok.

“Among them are the families of 23 Mitrovica thinkers, people of wisdom and our national values, many of whom were very close friends of mine, who were last witnessed on April 19, 1999, in the villages of Zubin Potok,” Hamza wrote.

He confirmed that Kosovo will continue to demand clarification of the fate of the missing, the establishment of justice for their families, and accountability for the crimes committed during the war.

Kosovar authorities have begun the exhumation process in Zubin Potok by order of the Special Prosecution and based on a decision of the Basic Court of Prishtina. This process is taking place within the framework of two criminal investigations, while two suspects with the initials M.J. and M.B. have been detained for 48 hours in connection with this case.