Law & Justice
Kosovo mass grave search expands to third possible site
Kosovo authorities say they have identified a third potential mass grave in the country's north, widening an investigation into a suspected 1990s war crime that has already uncovered the remains of 11 people.
Excavation work began last week in the Zubin Potok area. Officials have said as many as 23 people could be buried near surrounding villages.
The search had already expanded after remains were found at a second site on Monday. Investigators now say they are also looking into starting a third dig.
The Special Prosecutor's Office said it could not provide more information because of the sensitive stage of the investigation.
All the remains have been sent for DNA testing and identification. Prosecutors have warned that process could take months.
Police have arrested three men from the local area in recent days on suspicion of war crimes, according to prosecutors.
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Saturday that the discovered remains most likely belong to 23 Albanians who were abducted and executed in spring 1999. Prosecutors have not confirmed the identities of those killed.
The 1998-1999 war between independence-seeking ethnic Albanian guerrillas and Serbian armed forces killed around 13,000 people and left 4,000 missing. The remains of thousands have since been found, but 1,600 people are still missing.
Update
Kosovo authorities said they had identified a third potential mass grave in the country's north.
Investigators said they were looking into starting a third dig after remains were found at a second site.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 17:11:51 UTC.
Update
Kosovo authorities confirmed that the remains of four people were found and exhumed at Jabuka, the second suspected mass grave site.
The remains have been sent for DNA testing.
Authorities now say the remains of 11 people have been recovered from the two nearby sites.
Prosecutors said excavation and identification could take months.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 August 2026 at 08:47:31 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The identities of the people whose remains were found have not been confirmed.
DNA testing and identification could take months, according to prosecutors.
Authorities have not confirmed whether all 23 people officials believe may be buried in the area have been found.
Investigators are looking into starting a third dig, but the source item does not say that excavation at the third site has begun.
Source
AFP news report published on .