In recent weeks, there has been an increasing number of alarming reports from Canton Sarajevo (CS). In just this third month of 2024, three shootings and a large number of traffic accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities to pedestrians have been recorded.
Shootings in the capital
It’s not merely heightened media interest in such news but rather a problem that is escalating within this canton. Shootings in Sarajevo are happening, often involving criminal confrontations late into the night. However, the situation is evolving, evident in shootouts occurring during the daytime in busy streets. One example is the shooting that took place on March 8th. On International Women’s Day, the attacker shot a woman in the lower leg area at 4:30 p.m. on the crowded Bascarsija.
On that day, Harun Osivcic (born in 1994 in Sarajevo) shot the woman. She was transported to the Sarajevo University Clinical Center for medical treatment.
A few days later, on March 15th, another shooting was reported in Kovaci, again during the daytime. Dzan Hukelic (born in 1995) shot at the car in which Emir Kundo was. The shooting was reported to the police at 12:30 p.m. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but material damage was inflicted on a car in which Kundo was traveling.
Street fights and assaults
The city was not safe even on the day of the football match between Zeljeznicar and Sarajevo. At the beginning of the month, on March 3rd, the eternal derby was played in Sarajevo at Grbavica, before which a massive fight broke out. Sarajevo fans were banned from entering Grbavica stadium. Several people were arrested for fighting and assaulting police officers, and a one-month detention was requested for two of the perpetrators.
Another fight occurred on March 12th in the Sarajevo neighborhood of Hrasno. Several people were involved, and one minor was seriously injured. The police arrested two individuals, and according to available information, several minors were involved in the fight.
Emergency Session of the CS Assembly
Due to several shootings and deteriorating security conditions in CS, the Presidency of the CS Assembly has scheduled an emergency session on the security situation, to be held on March 29th. In connection with this, the Prime Minister of the CS, Nihad Uk, sent a message to the citizens, stating that the primary commitment of the Government is the safety of the citizens.
“We will continue to vigorously fight and find solutions to ensure that our streets are safe for every individual. We will not allow fear or insecurity to overwhelm the public, nor will unverified information be our daily narrative,” said Nihad Uk, Radio Sarajevo writes.
E.Dz.