The Municipal Court in Goražde issued a verdict according to which, upon a lawsuit by the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina-Majlis of Islamic Community Ustikolina, the defendant B&H entity of Republika Srpska is obliged to pay compensation for demolition of the Turhan-Emin Bey’s Mosque in Ustikolina, as the oldest mosque in Bosnia and Herzegoovina, the imam house and facility of the Islamic Community, amounting to 958,128 BAM (489,514 EUR), plus legal interest starting from the date of filling the lawsuit.
The law firm Hrvačić, which represented the Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community in B&H and which filled this lawsuit back in 1998, believes that this is one of the most significant decisions from the standpoint of legal practice, since the RS is obliged to pay for demolition of the mosque and accompanying facilities in Ustikolina, wherein it was determined that the lawsuit is timely and fully proven.
“This is certainly a great success of the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina and we expect the mentioned verdict to be confirmed by the Cantonal Court and implemented in the shortest time possible,” the law firm stated.
Director of the Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community in B&H Senaid Zajimović is also satisfied with the outcome, although the Directorate is aware of the fact that this is only the beginning and that the continuation of legal battle before higher courts is yet to come.
“Following instances are the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Strasbourg afterwards (Court of Human Rights). Strasbourg will more frequently be our address for filling various lawsuits, or for completion of certain procedures. I believe they will appeal, and we will pursue with adequate legal remedies until the end, since that is the destiny of such politically motivated cases”, Zajimović said.
This verdict is of multiple importance for the Mufti of Gorazde, Remzija ef. Pitić, and the first important fact is that it has been proven who is responsible for the demolition of the mosque in Ustikolina.
“Second important reason is that the verdict confirms that the demolition of the mosque is a crime. Unfortunately, we live in such environment where it is necessary to prove it. What is understandable in a civilized world – that the demolition of religious facilities represents a crime – we, in the environment in which we live, must prove and determine,” Al Jazeera reported.
(Source: novovrijeme.ba)
