The war traumas and never regretted losses are still present 27 years since the end of the war. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). On April 16th, the anniversary of two horrific crimes was marked: the crime in the village of Ahmici near Vitez and in the village of Trusina near Konjic.
Destroyed houses, and mosques, and killed civilians. Ahmici. April 16th, 1993. On the same day, just 100 km away in the village of Trusina, the same picture: killing of civilians. The crime in Ahmici was committed by members of the Croatian Defence Council (HVO), and in Trusina by the Army of the Republic of BiH (RBiH). The wounds are still open today.
Mahir effendi Husic, the imam in Ahmici says: “We convey this truth, but we also build coexistence with all who live in peace with us. We will pass on through the culture of remembrance the names of the units that committed these atrocities. 15 remains are still being searched for.”
In the crime against humanity, as the killing of civilians in Ahmici was marked by the Hague tribunal, 116 people were killed, including 32 women, 11 minors, and a three-month-old baby. The court sentenced several people for that act: Darijo Kordic to 25 years in prison, Miroslav Brala to 20, Tihomir Blaskic to 9, and Pasko Ljubicic to 10.
Sad procession in Trusina as well. The following were convicted of crimes in this village, where 15 civilians were killed, including two children: Nihad Bojadzic to 15 years in prison, Edin Dzeko to 13, Nedzad Hodzic 12, Mensur Memic ten, and Rasema Handanovic to five and a half years in prison.
”The sentences imposed for these crimes are too lenient, with which the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office mocked the Croatian victims.”
”This should be a warning to all of us not to happen again. I’m from the nearby village. I listened to all those screams and moans… I find it very difficult.”
All those who survived war crimes still send a message today: all criminals should be convicted, and peace has no price. The war left behind the smell of burning, devastation, corpses, and eternal trauma, N1 writes.
E.Dz.
