22 May 2012, Pristina

Today, EULEX forensic experts and their local counterparts from the Department of Forensic Medicine (DFM) handed over the mortal remains of twelve individuals. Most of these individuals went missing in 1999 during the Kosovo conflict. Ten sets of remains were recovered from secondary graves in Serbia. The identification work for some of these individuals was concluded some time ago, however, EULEX experts and their local counterparts from the DFM complied with the families’ request to hold the remains until the relatives were ready for the handover. Five names are still on the Missing Persons list and will be removed in due course.

The families are from Vushtrri/Vučitrn were invited to receive the remains and the relevant documentation.

In the next few weeks the remains of more individuals are planned to be handed over to families.

Since EULEX experts joined DFM in December 2008 the mortal remains of 308 individuals have been returned to families.