The Governmental Commission on Missing Persons (GCMP), following an in-depth analysis of data from international archives and with continuous support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has initiated search activities at a known location in the Rahovec region. The site, identified in cadastral records and by the local community as “Përzhina,” is located near the city cemetery and bears traces of a dark history linked to the war period.
Excavations at this site, which began yesterday, have resulted in the discovery of two fragments of human bones, which were immediately sent for further examination to the Institute of Forensic Medicine. According to information obtained today, additional human remains of at least one other individual have been found, who may be part of the list of persons missing since the war. This discovery may be connected to war victims who are still officially listed as missing.
This important search process is being carried out by the Institute of Forensic Medicine, in close cooperation with the Sector for the Investigation of Persons Missing During the War, within the Directorate for the Investigation of War Crimes of the Kosovo Police. The Governmental Commission on Missing Persons is also actively engaged, continuing to play a key role in efforts to clarify the fate of those who went missing during and after the war.
This step represents an opportunity to provide greater accountability and justice for the families of the victims, by offering increased transparency and information regarding the fate of the missing.
The Commission has announced that this location is the last to be addressed within the framework of evaluative excavations for 2025.
A media statement regarding the progress of search activities at this and other locations will be held tomorrow, December 19, 2025, starting at 11:00, directly from the site.
