Human remains found in suspected mass grave in Serbia

RASKA, SERBIA (BNO NEWS) -- Forensic experts in Serbia have discovered human remains at a site believed to contain a mass grave with bodies of ethnic Albanians who were killed during the 1998-99 war between Serbia and Kosovo, authorities announced on Friday, but giving few details.

The latest investigation began on October 17 when forensic experts began an assessment at the Rudnica quarry in Raska, a district in southwest Serbia. It is being undertaken in a series of phases, with each phase consisting of a location to be excavated for possible human remains.

"Serbian authorities, EULEX Department of Forensic Medicine (DFM) and forensic experts from the Kosovo Department of Forensic Medicine, during the site assessment at the Rudnica quarry in the municipality of Raska, discovered human remains," the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) said in a brief statement on Friday.

The statement said other organizations present at the excavation were the EULEX War Crimes Investigation Unit, Serbia's Government Commission for Missing Persons, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It was not immediately disclosed how many bodies were discovered, although Serbian prosecutors believe the number could be as high as 250.

Alan Robinson, the head of EULEX forensic experts, said in October that the experts had a particular interest in three places at Rudnica quarry. "We have prioritized the most promising location for the first phase. If this proves negative we will then move onto phase two, if the weather allows," he said at the time. It is believed the human remains now discovered are at the second or third site.

Parts of the Rudnica quarry were first assessed without results in 2007 and subsequently in 2010 and 2011.

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