The United States remains deeply concerned that, to date, no individuals have been convicted for the 1999 killings of U.S. citizens Agron, Ylli, and Mehmet Bytyqi. While attempting to save the lives of a Roma family from Kosovo, the Bytyqi brothers were detained without due process by Serbian authorities and suffered an execution-style death.
Yesterday’s verdict in the retrial of two men suspected of transporting the Bytyqi brothers to their deaths in a camp in eastern Serbia underscores the importance of bringing the perpetrators of their murders to justice. Those who gave the orders, oversaw the killings, and ordered the subsequent cover-up have yet to be arrested and prosecuted. We expect Serbian authorities to bring to justice all individuals at all levels who are responsible for their deaths without further delay. This also remains a high priority on our bilateral agenda with Serbia.
