In an interview for Express, Arsim Gerxhaliu, director of the Kosovo Forensics Institute, said that excavations in Rudnica 3, Serbia, will resume on Thursday. He also said there is information about other mass graves of Albanians in Serbia.
How much progress is there with excavations in Rudnica for bodies of Albanians buried there?
As you know, searching was conducted in Rudnica from 2004, then 2007, 2010, 2012, then in September 2013 and then on December 13 we found mortal remains at this location. We then had to wait until winter was over before we could start intensive work on April 23. Work was then suspended by the Serbian side on July 3. So far we have completed our work in Rudnica 1, where we found around 50 bodies, we have also excavated in Rudnica 2, but we did not find anything there. We have received official notification that we will resume excavations in Rudnica on Thursday (August 7). There were two landslides there … the terrain is very difficult and dangerous.
There have been reports about additional investigations in Serbia to locate the bodies of Albanians killed during the war in Kosovo?
Yes we will search every suspected location. We will also look for new information and locate them. There is information about other graves, but we need to verify this and then locate them. It is not easy working from here and operating in Serbia.
Why were excavations delayed?
Excavations stopped on July 3 because the Serbian side said they lacked funds and that they are waiting for financial assistance from several foreign embassies in Serbia. You must also take into the account that it is very difficult to work in that terrain, but there was also a lot of excavation, especially in Rudnica 1. A lot of work went into demolishing the building that was constructed on top of the graves and then cleaning the area.
What was the level of cooperation with Serbian authorities during your work there?
In general, it went well and fair, despite professional differences … but our Serb colleagues and their commission have been fair. EULEX experts were tireless and very professional. They used the most advanced technology to scan the terrain and will then present the findings and mortal remains in 3D digital maps.
Are there any mortal remains that weren’t identified from the time of the conflict?
Almost all have been identified with the exception of some remains that were burnt … there were also cases when remains do not match with donors’ blood because there are many families did not donate blood for DNA testing.
There have been reports about possible mass graves in other locations in Serbia and Kosovo. Do you have any information about this?
There is such information but confirming them will take time and police (the war crimes unit) will also have to look into it. After June 15, we have the first orders from local prosecutors of the Court for War Crimes. We will not stop looking for other suspect locations because there can be mortal remains that were sent and reburried in Serbia.
