Kurti: The Bytyqi Brothers remain evidence of Serbian crimes against Albanians

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that Ylli, Agron and Mehmet Bytyqi are direct evidence of the crimes the Serbian state committed against Albanians, while the lack of justice for their killing, according to him, continues to remain a heavy burden.

At a commemorative gathering organized on Thursday evening on the balcony of the prime minister’s office, marking the 27th anniversary of their killing, Kurti said the story of the three brothers is one of patriotism, sacrifice and dedication to freedom.

He recalled that Ylli, Agron and Mehmet, who were born in the United States of America, joined the Kosovo Liberation Army as part of the “Atlantiku” volunteer unit. According to him, after the end of the war they were arrested by Serbian police and later killed by the Serbian state apparatus, even though they had already served a 15-day prison sentence. Their bodies were discovered in 2001 in the mass grave in Petrovo Selo, in Serbia, together with the bodies of other Albanians killed by Serbs during the Kosovo war.

“The Bytyqi brothers are clear evidence of Serbia’s crimes against Albanians and, at the same time, of Serbia’s complete lack of willingness to be held accountable for the crimes committed,” Kurti said.

He stressed that the passing of the years does not in any way diminish the obligation for justice.

“On the contrary, every year that passes makes the burden of impunity even heavier,” he declared.

Kurti underlined that Kosovo will continue to seek full clarification of this case and the punishment of those responsible, recalling that the United States of America has also consistently demanded justice for this crime.

He also mentioned the symbolic significance the Bytyqi brothers have in relations between Kosovo and the US.

“The Bytyqi brothers connected the Republic of Kosovo and the Albanian nation in a special way with the United States of America. They were Albanian and American. Sons of Kosovo and citizens of America. In their lives and sacrifice, two countries united by historic friendship and a commitment to freedom came together,” Kurti said.

In the conclusion of his remarks, he said that the Government of Kosovo will continue its efforts to seek the truth and justice for the Bytyqi brothers, insisting that both those who ordered and those who carried out their killing must be brought to justice.