Gracanica chairman talks about the murder of Albert Krasniqi, who had killed his brother in 2004

Periskopi

31 January 2021, 11:32(5 years ago)

Gracanica Mayor Srdjan Popovovic, 17-year-old brother Dimitrij, who was killed in central Gracanica on 5 June 2004, has recalled this event after the news that the author of that murder case, Albert Krasniqi, was shot dead by his father in Pristina on Wednesday. “What can we say. This too is a tragedy, [...]

“What can we say. This too is a tragedy, but ours hurts, because we were left without a new life for no reason. Dimitrij was a young man full of joy, cheerful spirit, worker and plans for the future, he had not expected”, Popovic said, responding to the Serbian medium “Novost” while commenting on the assassination of Albert Krasniqi, who had been sentenced long ago for this murder.

Albert was killed by his father a few days ago. Skender Krasniqi was arrested on the murder case and a weapon was found from which he was shot.

However, the Popovic family, who lost Dimitrij, did not want to talk much about Albert Krasniqi's tragedy. They said they do not want to retaliate or rejoice because they say the <x0-radition is tragedy”.

Our son was killed at age 17. He did not wait for the graduation, nor for his mother who wanted to marry him,” mourned her son on one of the anniversarys.

His brother, Srdjan, who is also the mayor of the Gracanica municipality, said he does not want what happened to his brother.

I would never wish for anyone what happened to Dimitri. Not even such suffering for the family was interrupted in the most cruel way. Even though our family is from Gracanica, we lived in Pristina until 1999, and then when all Serbs fled the city, we returned to Gracanica. [.] Dimitrij's death struck us like a thunder from the sky”, Popovic said.

On Wednesday, Albert Krasniqi was shot dead by his father, Skender Krasniqi. As reported, police had been looking for Albert Krasniqi in recent days before the tragedy, due to suspicion that he had beaten his former wife, Besa Gashi.

The deceased had already been sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for the murder that took place at a “fast food” in 2004, where Dimitrij Popovic was with his friends. An Audi-type car was stopped in front of the bar. Albert Krasniqi was in the car, who had shot bullets in their wake. Popovic was shot in the head by a bullet and died on the spot.