Human remains discovered in the village of Kalludër i Vogël in the municipality of Zubin Potok have been preliminarily confirmed to be of human origin and of forensic interest, according to the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Kosovo.
Doctor Ditor Haliti from the Institute said the assessment was carried out following an order from the Special Department of the Basic Court in Prishtina, with the aim of determining the origin of the remains and whether they require forensic examination.
“Today we are here based on the order of the Special Department of the Basic Court in Prishtina to conduct an assessment at this location in the municipality of Zubin Potok, where several bone fragments were found. Our task was first to determine whether these remains are of human origin and, secondly, whether they are of forensic interest,” Haliti said.
He confirmed that preliminary assessments showed the remains are human and require further forensic examination.
“We have secured the scene and, due to the complexity of the location, as you can see, it is mountainous terrain and access is more difficult. We have decided to focus on thorough preparations to carry out the excavation as professionally as possible. The only thing we can confirm at this stage is that the remains are of human origin, are of forensic interest, and that work will continue in the coming days,” Haliti added.
The teams involved in the operation include the Institute of Forensic Medicine, the Government Commission for Missing Persons, the War Crimes Investigation Sector within the Kosovo Police, and the EULEX component supporting forensic activities.
Kushtrim Gara, head of the Government Commission for Missing Persons, said it is too early to provide further details before all examinations are completed.
“It is still too early to share details. We will wait for the completion of all examinations, the exhumation process and forensic analyses. Any information that can be shared will first be provided to the families of missing persons, who remain at the center of this process, and then to the public,” Gara said.
According to sources cited by KosovaPress, there are suspicions that the location may contain the remains of the group known as the “Intellectuals of Mitrovica,” who were reported missing on April 19, 1999. However, their identification and final confirmation will only be possible after the completion of exhumation procedures and forensic examinations.
Meanwhile, two suspects connected to the case were arrested by Kosovo Police on Monday, while investigations and field operations are continuing.
