A memorial gathering was held on Thursday in honor of the victims of the Dubrava Massacre, attended by former prisoners, survivors, families of the victims, and government officials.
The massacre, which marks its anniversary on May 19, took place in 1999 inside the Dubrava prison and is considered one of the deadliest atrocities committed against Albanians during the Kosovo war. Over a five-day period, from May 19 to May 24, Serbian forces killed 160 Albanian prisoners and wounded more than 300 others.
Survivors of the massacre have shared harrowing testimonies of the events that unfolded within the prison walls. Despite the scale of the crime, no one has yet been convicted. However, legal proceedings are currently ongoing against Gavrilo Milosavljević, a former prison guard, who is the only person to have been formally charged in connection with the massacre. He stands accused of mass murder.
Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, described the Dubrava Massacre as one of the most horrific crimes committed by Serbian forces. He also recalled the Vushtrri Massacre, where Serb forces executed civilians indiscriminately—including men, women, the elderly, and children.
“The Dubrava Massacre exposed the true face of Serbian genocide—its sole purpose being the extermination of the Albanian people through ethnic cleansing,” Haradinaj stated in a Facebook post. “Our road to freedom was long, painful, and filled with sacrifices. The Serbian state still refuses to accept the truth or take responsibility for these crimes, but we will continue our fight for justice. Kosovo does not forget!”
