The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, together with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, paid tribute today in Abri e Epërme.
On this occasion, Acting President Haxhiu stated that today,Abri e Epërme, they paid tribute to the 23 martyrs of the Deliu family and the national martyrs Vesel Demaku, Valdet Xhemajli, and Afrim Hajdaraj, who fell on September 26, 1998, while defending the civilian population from Serbian forces.
“The Deliu family had taken shelter in the woods to escape attacks and shelling. Serbian forces found them and killed them at close range. Among the victims were children, pregnant women, and elderly. Diturije Deliu was only six weeks old. She was found alive beneath her mother’s body after 22 members of her family had been killed. She survived for a few more weeks and passed away on November 19, 1998,” emphasized Acting President Haxhiu. She further added that on that same day, a few kilometers away, Vesel Demaku, Valdet Xhemajli, and Afrim Hajdaraj were fighting to prevent Serbian forces from reaching the civilians sheltering in the mountains surrounding Abria.
“Vesel was a teacher. Valdet was among the early KLA activists in Abri and had participated in several battles before falling that day. Arben Xhemajli was with them as well and was severely wounded. After hours of fighting, Vesel, Valdet, and Afrim fell while defending innocent civilians,” stated Acting President Haxhiu.
She noted that twenty-eight years later, no one has been convicted for the massacre of the Deliu family.
“The crime has been documented, witnesses have spoken, and it is known which Serbian forces operated in Abri. Kosovo will not cease its pursuit of justice. Our institutions have a duty to pursue these crimes to the end, regardless of how much time has passed or where the perpetrators are located. Glory to the martyrs Vesel Demaku, Valdet Xhemajli, and Afrim Hajdaraj! May the memory of the martyrs of the Deliu family be eternal!” said Acting President Haxhiu.
