Four Kosovo Albanians indicted for war crimes - UN mission

Four former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) have been indicted on war crimes charges stemming from their treatment of other Kosovo Albanian civilians in 1998 and 1999, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in the province (UNMIK) announced today.

An international prosecutor in Pristina charged Latif Gashi, Naim Kadriu, Nazif Mehmeti and Rrustem Mustafa (alias Commander Remi) on Tuesday with 11 counts of illegal arrest and detention, inhumane treatment, torture and murder.

Pursuant to a request by the prosecutor, Mr. Gashi, Mr. Kadriu and Mr. Mehmeti were arrested on 28 January. On 13 August, the investigating judge expanded the probe to include the Mr. Mustafa, the KLA commander for the "Llap" Zone in 1998 and 1999. The judge concluded the investigation on 8 November.

The defendants remain in detention pending trial, UNMIK said.

Meanwhile in New York, the Security Council has agreed to send a mission to Kosovo and to Belgrade next month.

The team would travel to the region from 13 to 17 December under the leadership of Ambassador Ole Peter Kolby of Norway.