Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said that Serbia’s continued obstruction of efforts to determine the fate of missing persons will not prevent Kosovo from pursuing truth and justice, as excavation works continue at a suspected mass grave site in the village of Kalludër, in the municipality of Zubin Potok.
In a post on X, Kurti said the site is believed to contain the hidden remains of a group of 23 intellectuals from Mitrovicë, including doctors, professors, and human rights activists, who were abducted and forcibly disappeared on April 19, 1999.
“More than a quarter of a century after the end of the 1998–1999 war, the anguish continues for the families of 1,565 people who were forcibly disappeared, including more than 100 children,” Kurti wrote.
He accused Serbia of continuing to obstruct efforts to clarify the fate of those who disappeared during the war.
“Serbia’s continued obstruction of efforts to uncover the fate of these innocent people will not stop the Republic of Kosovo in its pursuit of truth and justice,” Kurti said.
The acting prime minister reaffirmed Kosovo’s commitment to locating every missing person, uncovering every hidden mass grave, and ensuring accountability for those responsible.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to find every missing person, uncover every hidden grave, and hold those responsible accountable, so that the families of the missing can finally find a measure of peace and closure,” he stated.
Excavation works at the Kalludër site began this week after Kosovo authorities identified it as a suspected mass grave. Officials believe it may contain the remains of the group of 23 intellectuals from Mitrovicë who disappeared during the 1998–1999 Kosovo war, although forensic examinations and identification procedures are still ongoing.
