During a routine patrol on “Zoran Gjingjiq” street in North Mitrovica, the Kosovo Police discovered a quantity of military clothing and equipment hidden inside a sewer manhole.

The incident was identified around 13:30, when officers of the Police Station in North Mitrovica, while performing their duties, noticed that the manhole was open. Further inspection led to the discovery of a black plastic bag, which raised suspicions.

After retrieving and examining its contents, police found that it contained five green military caps, two chest rigs with ammo pouches, a military belt, magazine pouches, and other military-use equipment.

The state prosecutor was informed, who instructed that criminal proceedings not be initiated at this time.

The equipment was seized by police, and investigative work continues to clarify the circumstances and identify persons possibly linked to the case.

Security expert Drizan Shala, in a statement for “Bota sot”, says that the discovery should not be seen as an isolated event.

Shala emphasizes that before investigations conclude, no definitive conclusions can be drawn, but the manner of hiding the equipment raises some important questions.

“The finding of military clothing and equipment in a sewer manhole in North Mitrovica should not simply be considered an isolated incident. Given the history of tensions in this area, external influences, and the activity of illegal hybrid structures, such a case should be seen as an indicator requiring heightened attention from security institutions.

No final assessments can be made before the investigations close, but the presence of military-grade equipment in a public space brings serious questions: who placed them there, when was the hiding done, and what was the purpose? The possibility cannot be ruled out that they were used or prepared for illegal activities, including destabilizing acts, especially considering previous security incidents in the north and attacks on Kosovo’s institutions,” Shala states.

According to the expert, the fact that the equipment was placed in a part of public infrastructure shows an intention to keep them out of sight of authorities and citizens.

“A sewer manhole is not an ordinary place for storing equipment. The choice of this location indicates an attempt to hide them and raises suspicions that someone wanted to keep them invisible for a certain period,” he assesses.

Shala says the case should prompt increased monitoring, improved information exchange, and strengthening of preventive capacities.

“The Kosovo Police must conduct a thorough investigation to determine the origin of the equipment and verify possible links to individuals or organized groups. Also, the investigation should be expanded to see if there are other similar caches where uniforms or other equipment may be hidden.

This case should serve as a signal for strengthening oversight, intelligence cooperation, and preventive measures. In the north of Kosovo, any military-grade equipment outside institutional control should be treated as a national security issue, not just a police matter,” adds the security expert.

He further warns that such events can affect how citizens of the north perceive security. For this reason, Shala considers institutional transparency and a thorough investigation essential to prevent speculation and to preserve public trust in security institutions.

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The Kosovo Police announced that during a routine check on “Zoran Gjingjiq” street in the northern part of Mitrovica, clothing and military equipment were found hidden in a manhole of the sewer.

According to the official report, officers of the North Mitrovica Police Station were carrying out their daily duties around 1:30 p.m. when they noticed an open manhole. Inspection of the area led to the discovery of a black plastic bag that aroused suspicion.

After retrieving and inspecting it, the blue uniforms found several military items inside: five green caps, two tactical vests with ammunition pockets, a military belt, as well as bags for carrying magazines and other military accessories.

The state prosecutor was also informed about the incident, who recommended that no criminal proceedings be initiated at this time.

All items were seized, while investigations are deepening to shed light on the circumstances and to identify persons who may be involved.

Security specialist Drizan Shala, in a statement to “Bota sot”, stressed that this should not be seen merely as an isolated episode.

According to him, although no conclusions can be drawn at this stage until the investigations are closed, the case raises big questions.

“The discovery of military uniforms and equipment hidden in a sewer manhole in North Mitrovica cannot be treated as an isolated event. In a territory with a history of tensions, foreign influences, and dynamics of illegal hybrid groups, such a case is an indicator that requires greater attention from security agencies,” Shala declared.

“At this step we cannot draw conclusions before investigations are completed, but the secret storage of materials of a military nature in a public space raises serious questions: who placed them there, at what moment, and for what purpose? It is possible that these equipment were used or were intended for illegal acts, including destabilizing actions, especially considering previous security incidents in the north and attacks against Kosovo institutions,” he added.

The expert draws attention to the fact that placing the equipment in public infrastructure indicates it had to be kept away from the eyes of authorities and residents.

“Hiding the equipment in a sewer manhole does not constitute normal storage practice. This reveals elements of secrecy and suggests that someone tried to keep them invisible for a while,” Shala assessed.

He emphasizes that this case should be an alarm signal for strengthening surveillance, intelligence cooperation, and preventive capabilities.

“The Kosovo Police must conduct in-depth investigations to determine the origin of the equipment, possible links with individuals or structured groups, and extend searches to see if there are other similar deposits where uniforms and other equipment may be hidden,” he affirmed.

“This case should be seen as a warning for intensifying monitoring, data exchange, and preventive capacities. In northern Kosovo, any element of a military nature outside institutional control should be treated as a matter of national security, not simply as a police problem,” added the security expert.

Shala warned that such episodes could affect the perception of security among citizens of the north, therefore institutional transparency and a thorough investigation are essential to avoid speculation and to maintain public trust in security agencies.

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The discovery of human remains in several areas of Zubin Potok, believed to belong to victims of the most recent war in Kosovo, represents a significant step toward clarifying the fate of missing persons and investigating crimes from 1998-1999 that remain unsolved.

Following the initial discoveries, Kosovo’s justice authorities launched forensic examinations and DNA analyses. These procedures are intended to identify the victims and determine the circumstances of their deaths, giving families who have been searching for decades an opportunity to learn what happened to their missing relatives.

The case has renewed attention on mass graves, as well as the need for greater interinstitutional cooperation in locating suspected sites and shedding light on war crimes.

Commenting on these developments, Austrian expert Gunther Fehlinger told “Bota sot” that the discovery of human remains at several locations in Zubin Potok was extremely important for Kosovo, the families of missing persons and the investigation of unresolved war crimes.

According to him, these findings must be handled with dignity, full forensic professionalism and legal care. He stressed that DNA analyses must establish the identity of each victim, while prosecutors must determine the time, circumstances and responsibility for each death.

Fehlinger warned that until these procedures are completed, no claim regarding the victims’ identities or specific perpetrators should be presented as conclusive. According to him, identification and the determination of responsibility must be based solely on accurate evidence and adherence to legal and forensic standards.

The expert also said the findings show that previously unknown grave sites can still be discovered 27 years after the end of the war, thanks to new testimony, forensic investigations and the professional work of institutions.

According to him, each identified site could provide answers to families who have been waiting for decades. At the same time, the locations may preserve evidence of abductions, executions, the concealment of bodies and attempts to obstruct justice.

Fehlinger said the success of the investigations cannot be judged solely by the number of remains discovered. The assessment must also include the preservation of crime scenes, identification through DNA, maintenance of the chain of evidence, witness interviews and the investigation of people who may have ordered, committed or concealed the crimes.

According to the Austrian expert, the discoveries in Zubin Potok add further weight to the Declaration on Missing Persons, adopted during the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in 2023. The document provides for cooperation in clarifying the fate of missing persons and exchanging relevant information.

He called on the European Union to insist on the agreement’s full implementation. According to Fehlinger, Serbia must provide unrestricted access to military, police, municipal, state and security service archives related to the wartime period.

He also called for the release of operational documents, transport records, information about burials and any material related to primary, secondary or concealed graves. Fehlinger stressed that cooperation on missing persons must not remain merely a symbolic item in the Brussels dialogue.

He said the EU should make Serbia’s progress toward membership, as well as the political and financial benefits associated with that process, conditional on measurable cooperation regarding missing persons and the provision of evidence concerning war crimes.

Addressing the impact the findings could have on war crimes trials, Fehlinger said forensic evidence could strengthen criminal cases. It could help identify victims and establish their number, document patterns of crimes and create links between different locations.

However, he explained that in every court proceeding, the link between the crime and the accused must be proven individually. Delays in DNA identification could slow investigations and trials, while successful identification could strengthen cases, correct the historical record and give families the truth they have sought for so long.

In conclusion, the expert called for the fate of missing persons not to be turned into a tool for political confrontation or interethnic tensions. He stressed that every victim, regardless of their background, has the right to be identified, treated with dignity and given justice.

Fehlinger said the families had waited far too long and that Kosovo’s institutions, Serbia, the European Union, EULEX, the International Committee of the Red Cross and all responsible institutions must continue cooperating until the fate of every missing person is clarified.

In his closing statement to “Bota sot,” Gunther Fehlinger stressed that long-term normalization between Kosovo and Serbia cannot be achieved without the truth about the missing, accountability for war crimes and the full identification of the sites where victims were buried.

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During a routine patrol on “Zoran Gjingjiq” Street in North Mitrovica, the Kosovo Police found military equipment and clothing hidden inside a sewer manhole.

According to an official statement, at around 1:30 p.m., officers from the North Mitrovica Police Station were carrying out their regular duties when they noticed an open manhole. After inspecting the area, the police found a black plastic bag, which appeared suspicious to them.

The bag was removed and examined, revealing several items of military clothing and equipment inside. These included five green military caps, two chest rigs with spaces for ammunition, a military belt, pouches for carrying magazines, and other equipment intended for military use.

The state prosecutor was informed of the discovery. At his direction, no criminal proceedings will be initiated at this stage.

All of the equipment found was seized, while investigations are under way to clarify the circumstances and determine whether any individuals were involved in the case.

Security expert Drizan Shala told “Bota sot” that the incident should not be considered merely an isolated case.

He called for no conclusions to be drawn before the investigation is completed, but stressed that the manner in which the equipment was hidden and the location where it was found raise serious questions.

According to Shala, the discovery of military equipment and clothing hidden in a sewer manhole is particularly significant because it occurred in North Mitrovica, an area that has experienced tensions, outside influence and activities by illegal hybrid structures. For this reason, he considers the case a signal requiring greater attention from the institutions responsible for security.

The expert said that, until the investigation is completed, no final conclusions can yet be reached. Nevertheless, the concealment of military-grade items in a public space raises questions about who placed them there, when they were left there and what their purpose was.

Shala does not rule out the possibility that the equipment was intended for or used in unlawful activities, including destabilizing actions. He links this concern to previous security incidents in the north and attacks against Kosovo institutions.

According to him, the fact that the items were secretly placed inside public infrastructure could indicate that someone had attempted to keep them out of the sight of citizens and authorities.

He said that a sewer manhole is not a typical place to store equipment. Choosing such a location contains an element of concealment and raises suspicions that the equipment was intended to remain hidden for a certain period of time.

According to the security expert, the case should be treated as a warning to increase monitoring, improve the exchange of information and strengthen preventive capabilities.

Shala called on the Kosovo Police to conduct a full investigation to establish the origin of the equipment and verify whether it may be linked to individuals or organized groups. He said the investigation should also include searches for other similar storage sites where uniforms or other equipment may have been hidden.

He added that, in northern Kosovo, any military-type equipment found outside institutional control should be treated as a national security problem and not merely as a police matter.

Shala also warned that such events could affect how citizens in the north perceive security. To prevent speculation and maintain public trust in security institutions, he considers a full investigation and transparency from the institutions essential.

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The discovery of human remains at several sites in Zubin Potok, believed to belong to victims of the recent war in Kosovo, could be an important step toward determining the fate of missing persons and investigating unresolved crimes from the 1998-1999 period.

Following the initial discoveries, Kosovo’s justice institutions have begun forensic examinations and DNA analyses. The aim is to identify the victims and establish the circumstances of their deaths, a process that could provide answers to the families of missing persons, who have waited for decades to learn what happened to their relatives.

These developments have once again drawn attention to the issue of mass graves and the need for broader institutional cooperation to locate suspected sites and document war crimes.

Austrian expert Gunther Fehlinger spoke to “Bota sot” about the issue.

Fehlinger described the discovery of human remains at several sites in Zubin Potok as an event of extraordinary importance for Kosovo, the families of missing persons and the investigation of war crimes that remain unresolved.

Austrian expert Gunther Fehlinger

According to him, the procedures must be conducted with the utmost professionalism, in accordance with the law and forensic standards. Only in this way can the identification of the victims and determination of responsibility be based on accurate evidence.

“The discovery of human remains at several sites in Zubin Potok represents an extraordinarily important development for Kosovo, the families of missing persons and the investigation of unresolved crimes committed during the 1998-1999 war.

These findings must first be handled with dignity, forensic professionalism and full legal care. DNA testing must be used to establish the identity of every victim, while prosecutors must clarify the time, circumstances and responsibility for each death. Until this process is completed, no conclusion regarding specific victims or perpetrators should be regarded as established fact.”

Fehlinger also emphasized that, even 27 years after the end of the war, new evidence, the professional work of institutions and forensic investigations can lead to the discovery of previously unknown graves.

According to him, each identified site may bring answers to families who have waited for decades, while also potentially uncovering evidence of abductions, executions, the concealment of bodies and attempts to obstruct justice.

“The success of the investigations should not be measured solely by the number of remains found. Consideration must also be given to how crime scenes are preserved, the identification of victims through DNA, the safeguarding of the chain of evidence, the questioning of witnesses and the investigation of those who ordered, committed or concealed these crimes,” the Austrian expert said.

According to him, the discoveries in Zubin Potok make the Declaration on Missing Persons, adopted in 2023 as part of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, even more important. The document provides for cooperation in determining the fate of missing persons and the exchange of relevant information.

“The European Union must demand the full implementation of this agreement. Serbia must guarantee unrestricted access to military, police, security service, municipal and state archives from the wartime period. Operational documents, transport records, information about burials and any material related to primary, secondary or concealed graves must be made public.

Cooperation on missing persons cannot remain merely a symbolic element of the Brussels dialogue,” Fehlinger stated.

The expert believes that the European Union should make Serbia’s accession process, as well as the related political and financial benefits, conditional on the country’s measurable cooperation regarding missing persons and evidence of war crimes.

Analyzing the impact of the discoveries on war crimes trials, Fehlinger said that forensic evidence could strengthen criminal cases. It could help identify victims, determine their number, document patterns of crime and establish links between different sites.

“In every trial, an individual evidentiary link must be established between the crime and the accused. Delays in identification through DNA may prolong investigations and trials, while successful identification can strengthen criminal cases, correct the historical record and give families the truth they have sought for so long,” he said.

In conclusion, the Austrian expert called for the issue of missing persons not to be turned into a tool for political clashes or interethnic tensions. He stressed that every victim, regardless of their background, has the right to identification, dignity and justice.

“The families of missing persons have waited far too long. Kosovo’s institutions, Serbia, the European Union, EULEX, the International Committee of the Red Cross and all responsible bodies must cooperate until the fate of every missing person has been determined.

There can be no long-term normalization between Kosovo and Serbia without the truth about missing persons, accountability for war crimes and the full disclosure of the sites where victims were buried,” Gunther Fehlinger concluded for “Bota sot.”

The post Zubin Potok Reveals Possible Traces of War, Fehlinger Calls for Full Investigation and Pressure on Serbia appeared first on Albeu.com.

The discovery of human remains at several sites in Zubin Potok, which are suspected of belonging to victims of the last war in Kosovo, could help clarify the fate of missing persons and aid investigations into unresolved crimes from the 1998-1999 period.

Following the discovery of the remains, Kosovo’s justice institutions have begun forensic examinations and DNA analyses. The aim is to identify the victims and determine the circumstances of their deaths, a process that could provide answers to the families of missing persons, who have waited for decades to learn the truth about their loved ones.

The latest discoveries have brought renewed attention to the issue of mass graves and the need for greater institutional commitment to locating suspected sites and documenting war crimes.

Austrian expert Gunther Fehlinger spoke to “Bota sot” about the significance of this development.

Fehlinger considers the discovery of human remains at several locations in Zubin Potok to be an event of particular importance for Kosovo, the families of the missing, and efforts to investigate war crimes that remain unresolved.

According to him, the work must be carried out to high professional standards, in compliance with the law and the rules of forensic medicine. Only in this way can the victims’ identities and potential responsibility be accurately established on the basis of verifiable evidence.

“The discovery of human remains at various locations in Zubin Potok represents an exceptionally important development for Kosovo, the families of missing persons, and the investigation of unresolved crimes committed during the 1998-1999 war.

The findings must be handled with dignity, forensic professionalism, and full legal care. DNA analysis must be used to establish the identity of each victim, while prosecutors must investigate the timing, circumstances, and responsibility for each death. Before these procedures are completed, the identities of the victims or possible perpetrators should not be presented as confirmed facts,” he said.

The Austrian expert stresses that, even 27 years after the end of the war, new evidence, institutional work, and forensic investigations can lead to the discovery of unknown graves.

According to him, each identified location could bring long-awaited answers to families, but it could also contain evidence related to abductions, executions, the concealment of bodies, and attempts to obstruct justice.

“The success of the investigation should not be measured solely by the number of remains found. Consideration must also be given to how the crime scenes are preserved, the identification of victims through DNA, the safeguarding of the chain of custody, the questioning of witnesses, and the identification of those who ordered, committed, or concealed these crimes,” Fehlinger said.

He emphasizes that the developments in Zubin Potok make the Declaration on Missing Persons, adopted as part of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in 2023, even more important. The document provides for cooperation in locating missing persons and exchanging relevant information.

“The European Union must demand the full implementation of this agreement. Serbia must allow unrestricted access to military, police, security service, municipal, and state archives relating to the wartime period. Operational documents, transport records, information on burials, and any material related to primary, secondary, or concealed graves must be made available.

The issue of missing persons cannot be treated merely as a symbolic element of the Brussels dialogue,” Fehlinger said.

According to him, the EU should link Serbia’s concrete cooperation on missing persons and evidence of war crimes to its path toward membership in the European Union, as well as to the political and financial benefits stemming from that process.

Assessing the impact of the discoveries on war crimes proceedings, Fehlinger said forensic evidence could strengthen criminal cases. It could help identify the victims, determine their number, establish patterns of crimes, and create links between different locations.

“In every trial, an individual evidentiary link must be established between the criminal offense and the accused. Delays in DNA identification can prolong investigations and court proceedings, while successful identification can consolidate cases, correct the historical record, and give families the truth they have sought for many years,” the expert said.

In conclusion, he called for the issue of missing persons not to be turned into a tool for political confrontation or interethnic tensions. Fehlinger stressed that every victim, regardless of their background, deserves identification, dignity, and justice.

“The families of the missing have waited far too long. The institutions of Kosovo and Serbia, the European Union, EULEX, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and all responsible bodies must cooperate until the fate of every missing person has been clarified.

There can be no lasting normalization between Kosovo and Serbia without uncovering the truth about missing persons, accountability for war crimes, and the full identification of the locations where the victims were buried,” Gunther Fehlinger concluded for “Bota sot”.

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