'Blic' exclusively: Statement by a witness to savage torture by KLA members
Blic – December 7, 2004

Haradinaj's officer savagely tortured and killed a policeman

KLA commander Miftar Salja was under direct command of newly elected Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj during conflicts in Kosovo and Metohija. That Miftar Salja butchered and killed captured policeman from Pec, Srdjan Perovic in July 1998 in the village of Lodja.

His body was left for two days in the center of the village. After that Perovic was 'buried' on village garbage stock. This is, among other things, said by a witness to that crime, also KLA member. The name of that witness is known to investigation bodies. This witness told in details the unbelievable crime and horrible torture that the unfortunate Perovic suffered.

'At the beginning of July 1998, a group of KLA officers led by commander Miftar Salja captured in the region of the village of Lodja, policeman Perovic. That day, about noon, Miftar and Binak Salja drove tied Perovic in 'Pajero' jeep downtown Lodja. Perovic was tied with a rope around his neck and his hands were tied to jeep's roof. He was taken to an improvised barrack that KLA used as a prison. After two-hour questioning, Perovic was taken to HQ premises where questioning was continued in the presence of Gani Kastrati. Perovic begged for help and asked to be released or exchanged for captured KLA members. However, the questioning lasted the whole night, until eight in the morning.

Miftar Salja categorically rejected those pleads and threatened to Perovic with death. The next day at noon, Miftar Salja took Perovic out of the barrack and tied him around a tree. Locals and KLA members were standing around.

Miftar Salja addressed them saying that that was what would happen to every policeman jeopardizing Albanian children women and old people. He took the knife, cut off Perovic's ears and threw them on the ground. Perovic was then taken back to the barrack while Gani Kastrati pinned cut off ears against a board on a tree that Perovic was tightened to. Muhamet Berisha was also present when this massacre occurred. Berisha is KLA commander from the village of Krusevac. The same day, at about 14.00, Kastrati insisted that doctor Shuti and I visit Perovic. He was in coma, obviously exhausted and dehydrated. We rinsed his wounds with hydrogen and covered them. Doctor Shuti left to Perovic a liquid for mouth rinsing. Tomorrow, Miftar Salja repeated the same procedure before the locals. He cut off the nose the exhausted Perovic. Gani Kastrati then pinned the nose to the mentioned board.

About 17.00 again at Gani Kastrati's request, I visited Perovic with doctor Shuti. Perovic was in a difficult condition. Next day about 13.00 Miftar and Gani Kastrati took Perovic out again and tied him to the tree. Perovic was half conscious with head inflated due to wounds. Miftar Salja addressed the locals again threatening Serb Police. He was met with cries of approval by the gathered locals. Before the very eyes of all gathered people Miftar Salja cut off Perovic's penis, showed it to all present people and repeated threats to Serb Police. This massacre was supported by several people, especially Nedzmija Morina, a nurse from the village of Lodja, Mahusha Salja, Hira Mornia and Giljeta Salja. All these women are KLA members. The same day about 18.00 doctor Shuti and I visited Perovic. He was in critical condition. The next day Miftar and Gani took Perovic out again and tied him to 'Pajero' jeep. They were pulling him at the very eyes of the locals, made a circle and returned to the starting position. One of KLA members urinated on Perovic although he was still alive. After that Miftar and Gani took Perovic in the jeep and drove him into unknown direction. The next day Perovic's body was found in the center of the village. He was shot in the head. His body was left there for two days. After that the locals buried him at village garbage stock', a witness to this monstrous crime told the investigation bodies.

Ramush Haradinaj, who at the time of conflict in Kosovo was a commander of 'Dukadjini' operation zone that included the village of Lodja. Said for this crime to be 'the first significant victory by KLA' since Serb Police was forced to leave the territory.

The main characteristic of Haradinaj's commanding was in line with the training that he got in French legion. He applied those principles in Kosovo. According to them not a single action could not be carried out without his explicit oral consent, the document of the investigation bodies reads.