Kosovo’s Ombudsperson’s office on Tuesday said that it was investigating possible human rights violations in two cases where police allegedly used excessive violence against citizens.

In one case, a 27-year-old is suspected of having died following his arrest by five police officers who are currently in 48 hours of custody awaiting appearance before a pre-trial judge.

“The police have the duty to protect citizens and maintain public order but always in accordance with the law and with full respect for human dignity. Any excess of legal authorizations and any form of violence or ill-treatment are unacceptable and must be treated with full responsibility,” the Ombudsperson’s office said, adding that it has also initiated monitoring of the Kosovo Police and Kosovo Police Inspectorate.

On Tuesday, acting Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu wrote on Facebook that an autopsy had been conducted on the late Agon Zejnullahu.

“The Institute of Forensic Medicine is making maximum efforts to perform the histopathological and toxicological analysis of the tissue samples taken during the autopsy as soon as possible in order to complete the autopsy report… The Institute … has not yet submitted any preliminary report on this case,” she said.

Zejnullahu died shortly after midnight on July 7 in Lipjan/Lipljane following arrest. A video shows a policemen holding him down, suggesting excessive use of force.

The case was not included in the police daily report of July 7. However, a Police spokesperson told BIRN that the police had received information he was attacking vehicles and passersby on Haradin Bajrami street in Lipjan.

“Police units reacted immediately to bring the situation under control while the emergency medical team was also called to the scene, which provided first aid to the person in question. Despite efforts, it was determined that he had passed away,” he said.

The Police Inspectorate announced later that five policemen were being investigated after it had requested their suspension, and on Monday evening they were arrested and sent to 48 hours’ custody.

Zejnullahu’s brother, Alban, meanwhile told media on Tuesday that the family is certain his brother “was killed”, claiming they saw “marks on his body”, and accusing the police of trying to conceal the incident.

In another case, on June 30, three police officers were arrested on suspicion of having mistreated Driton Krasniqi during his arrest at his house in Kline/Klina.

A video, captured by security cameras in his backyard, shared on social media, shows him being handcuffed by two police officers and a third officer intervening and hitting him.

The policeman, Nezir Gashi said at the police station in Kline/Klina that he had reacted this way because he had been attacked. His claims were supported by the other two police officers, Shkelqim Salijaj and Enis Elezaj. The police inspectorate opened an investigation into them for mistreatment while performing official duties.

The acting director of investigations at the Police inspectorate, Bardhyl Haxhimustafa, told BIRN on July 5 that the police had gone to Krasniqi’s house to arrest him after another citizen had complained that he had damaged his son’s bicycle.

According to the Ombusperson’s office, “the use of force beyond what is necessary constitutes a serious violation of fundamental human rights, guaranteed by the Constitution … and international human rights instruments, including the European Convention on Human Rights”.

“The Ombudsperson’s Institution demands full transparency from the competent institutions regarding the investigation of the cases. It is also important to emphasize the importance of implementing professional standards in every police intervention and the necessity of continuous training for law enforcement officers,” it said.