From arrests to excavations for suspected mass graves in Zubin Potok: What is known so far?

A nearly two-year investigation by Kosovo authorities initially led to the arrest of two people suspected of war crimes, and then to excavations at a site in Zubin Potok, where a mass grave was suspected to be located.

Within a few days, human remains were discovered, another war crimes suspect was arrested, a second location suspected of containing remains was identified, and a Kosovo citizen was arrested in Serbia on suspicion of espionage.

In Kalludër i Vogël, a mountain village in the northern municipality of Zubin Potok, Kosovo, excavations began on July 28 under suspicion of a mass grave.

These excavations, according to the authorities, began after an investigation lasting about two years by the Kosovo Special Prosecution Office.

A few days before the excavations began, two people suspected of war crimes against the civilian population were arrested. Their case, according to the Prosecutor's Office, is related to these excavations.

Although exact details of what these two arrested men are suspected of have not been made public, for one of them the police said they have found evidence that he had been "mobilized and an active participant during the war in the former Yugoslav army."

The two suspects, MJ and MB, are currently in custody.

On August 2, Kosovo Police arrested another person in connection with the same case.

The Special Prosecution Office said that JR's arrest is the result of further investigative actions, but did not provide details about his suspected role.

Defendant MB's lawyer, Dejan Vasic, told Radio Free Europe that his client is suspected of being among the people who buried the victims of the events mentioned in the request for pre-trial detention.

"He is convinced that he has no connection to this event, as he was not at all in the place mentioned by the prosecutor," said Vasic.

Miloš Delević, lawyer for the other defendant MJ, did not want to give details about what his client is specifically suspected of, saying only that the criminal offense has been classified as a war crime against the civilian population.

What is known about the mass grave in Kalludër i Vogël?

As excavations continued, authorities confirmed that the remains found at Kalludra e Vogël are of human origin.

But, since the beginning of the excavations, suspicions have been raised that the mortal remains at this location – which is still being excavated – may belong to a specific group of Albanians forcibly disappeared from the last war.

This civilian group, known as the "group of intellectuals", has been missing since April 19, 1999. Among them were doctors, professors, lawyers and other profiles.

Kosovo's acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, told the media on July 29 that there is an initial suspicion that the remains may belong to this group.

"We cannot confirm that this is about them, but this was our immediate suspicion. However, we must wait for our bodies to tell us what is going on there," Kurti said.

The identification process is now in the hands of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, while authorities have emphasized that only forensic and DNA analyses will determine the identities of the victims.

The Special Prosecution Office called on the media, citizens, and officials not to speculate about the identity of the remains.

"...It is still early, and public statements could harm the investigation process, and of course could also distort the final result," the Prosecution's response states.

New excavations in Zubin Potok?

On August 2, the Prosecution and Police announced that another location had been identified in the village of Jabukë, Zubin Potok, where it is suspected that there may be mortal remains.

The institutions said they will ask the Basic Court in Pristina for permission to conduct excavations at this site as well.

A day before the announcement of the second location, the acting Prime Minister, Kurti, visited the excavation site in Kalludër e Vogël.

He said that fieldwork could take "many weeks, maybe even many months," as the remains were found scattered along a stream.

He also reiterated the call for Serbia to open state and military archives, saying they could help shed light on the fate of missing persons.

Even the acting president, Albulena Haxhiu, reacted after the announcement of the second location, calling it "a grave reminder of the crimes committed during the war."

Arrest in Serbia

While investigations into the suspected mass grave were continuing in Zubin Potok, Serbian authorities arrested a Kosovo citizen on suspicion of "espionage."

According to the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, RT, from Istog, was arrested on July 30 in Kraljevo, and the High Court in that city ordered him to be detained for 30 days. Serbian authorities did not provide details on the actions attributed to him, other than that he is suspected of the criminal offense of espionage.

In Kosovo, however, several sources told Radio Free Europe that the arrest is related to suspicions that he had provided information that led to the location where excavations for mortal remains are taking place in Zubin Potok.

Kosovo's acting Minister of Labor, Family, Social Protection and Liberation War Values, Andin Hoti, has described the arrest of the person he claims helped uncover a suspected mass grave in Kosovo as an "attempted assassination of the truth."

"This is not a state that seeks justice. This is a state apparatus that continues to protect criminals, intimidate witnesses, and prevent the fate of missing persons from being revealed. Every such arrest sends a clear message: whoever speaks about mass graves will be punished," Hoti wrote on Facebook.

Hoti has not disclosed the information he claims is the basis for the arrest of the person for allegedly assisting in the discovery of the mass grave, and he was not available for additional comment.

According to official data, 1.579 people continue to be missing from the 1998-99 war.