House Passes Rep. Zeldin’s Resolution in Continued Pursuit of Justice for the Bytyqi Brothers

WASHINGTON - On Tuesday, October 22, 2019, H.Con.Res. 32, introduced by Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), calling for justice following the 1999 executions of NY-1 residents, Ylli, Agron and Mehmet Bytyqi, who resided in Hampton Bays, passed the House of Representatives.

In July 1999, the three brothers, Ylli, 25 years old, Agron, 23 years old, and Mehmet Bytyqi, 21 years old, went overseas towards the end of the Kosovo war and were arrested when they accidentally crossed into Serbian-controlled territory. The brothers were arrested by Serbian authorities for illegally entering the country, and were brutally executed shortly after on July 8, 1999. While Serbian authorities have investigated the deaths of the brothers, there have been no charges brought against those responsible for these murders.

In December 2018, the Department of State designated Goran Radosavljevic of Serbia under Section 7031(c) due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights, including the murder of the Bytyqi brothers, and, earlier this year, Ranking Member Zeldin and Chairman Engel met in Munich, Germany, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to continue to demand justice in this case.

Congressman Zeldin made the following remarks on the House floor ahead of passage:

“I wish to start off by thanking the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel for his longtime passion and advocacy on this very important issue for my district as well as Grace Meng who also has been supportive. This execution-style murder of Ylli, 25 years old, Agron, 23 years old, and Mehmet Bytyqi, 21 years old, has greatly impacted my own district. These were three brothers born in the United States and resided in Hampton Bays, NY.   

“This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Bytyqi Brothers murder.

“In July of 1999, these three brothers went overseas towards the end of the Kosovo war and were arrested by Serbian authorities for illegally entering the country when they accidentally crossed into Serbian-controlled territory. 

“The brothers were kidnapped, murdered, and dumped into a mass grave in Serbia by government officials still serving today.

“Since taking office, I have been committed to helping the Bytyqi family receive the justice they have long deserved.

“In February, Chairman Engel and I traveled to Munich to meet with Serbian President Vucic, where he once again promised to resolve the case of the Bytyqi brothers. 

“Despite many promises by Serbian officials to resolve the case of this state-sponsored murder, there has been no justice served.

“This resolution notes that progress with this investigation should remain a significant factor which determines the further development of U.S.-Serbian relations. 

“The Bytyqi brothers gave their lives to fight injustice; now we must return this favor and deliver justice for their family. 

“I would like to thank Chairman Engel and Lead Republican McCaul for their leadership and assistance on these issues.”