Kukes residents deny the existence of KLA prisons, dismiss special claims

The indictment speaks of two bases in the Kukes district used by the KLA, but this claim has never been accepted by Albanian authorities. The objects in question are in Nikolich and the Vlaha of Hasi.

Euromother's Albany traveled to Has to confirm whether these objects really exist and whether they were used by the KLA. At the entrance of the city, in the industrial area, you take note of the mechanical machine, which also holds a Memorial plaque.

It says:

“In this house was located headquarters No.1, where it took up tasks daily for the KLA's general mobilization responsibilities. In April, March, May 1999 mobilization was done at the order of the KLA General Staff”.

Euronea journalist Albany, Ermal Hallachi, looked closely at the environments of this building, which seems extremely amortized.

The owner of the building, which has privatised it, Aslan Elezi, relates the difficult March-June months of 1999, when the building turned into a mobilization base for The KLA, but absolutely denies the existence of prison.

Elez shows that a year ago the facility was also visited by Hague prosecutors for verification.

“When I don't know this thing, neither do soldiers know, because there was no prison actually, no mistreatment. Last year they came to The Hague, three prosecutors along with our prosecutors, to verify, called me, went to the commissioners for three days, asked me, and then came to check,” says Elesi.

It confirms that some of the KLA's uniforms and other items still lie in the facility.

You can clearly see the beds or even the medical rooms that treated wounded soldiers. Even medicine is still there. Aslan Elez shows that all things are preserved by him just to prove the truth of the KLA war.

All of these are kept and preserved to prove that the KLA has been an army that only emerged from that part of Kosovo's good family who have wanted to take the rifle to fight [for freedom],” Elesi further shows.

According to the evidence, more than 12,000 troops were trained in this building, who were then sent to another KLA base in the village of Vlaha. Residents of this village show Euronea Albania that there was no prison in this area, but only KLA bases. This is confirmed by Jak Yaku, a resident of one of the homes he served as a refuge for soldiers.

The Hague tribunal seems to me to be supporting Serbia more than the violated, missing ones they have massacred,” KP says.

At the entrance of the village, what stands out is an old tower where it says:

“The Tower of Resistance, knowledge and rifle, the KLA's nest!”