Today, the 31st anniversary of the execution of the inmates of the Keraterm and Omarska camps was marked at the Hrastova glavica natural pit site, near Sanski Most. In 1992, under false pretenses and under the promise of taking 124 inmates from Prijedor camps for exchange, inmates were shot in groups over this 25-meter-deep pit. For the families and friends of the victims, these days are difficult, and as the years pass, they find it increasingly difficult. They emphasize that justice has not yet been served, but that they will continue to fight for it.
The families and friends of the murdered inmates at the Hrastova glavica location paid tribute to their loved ones today. Although they carry difficult and painful memories throughout their lives, their mission and struggle is the same year after year, and that is justice and truth.
“That evening when the roll call was made – we all did not know where they were being taken. There was talk about the scale, there was speculation. However, it was only after the war that we found out what it was about, that they were killed in a brutal way,” says former camp inmate Zijad Veletanlić.
Fejza Karupović was left without a husband here: “As far as family is concerned – that can’t even be said.” When I can – I come, I visit. The pain is always the same, no matter how many years go by”.
“My father was also killed at the age of 25. We are here today to remember our loved ones who were innocently killed in this place 31 years ago, but we are also here to remember those who did it,” said the chairman of the Una Sana Canton Assembly, Jasmin Music.
The interlocutors point out that many have not yet been prosecuted for their crimes, and that tensions are still present today. Because the glorification of war criminals has never stopped.
“We must put pressure on the investigative bodies, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina – I know they have enough evidence for this crime,” claims Sadmir Alibegović, president of the USC camp inmates’ union.
Seid Omerović, the president of the Union of Prisoners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, warns, “If we do not make an effort to force out the truth and justice, it is most likely that this and similar things will be repeated in the future.”
Ibrahim Ferhatović managed to survive this crime, who got out of the pit, managed to reach his relatives in Hambarin and tell what happened. He was subsequently arrested again in the village, and since then all traces of him have been lost, but based on his information, a grave on Hrastova glavica was later discovered.
