In the area of Gacko, in the suburban settlement of Gračanica, shots were fired at the house of a Bosniak returnee family. Condemnations of this incident are coming from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the family expects the perpetrators to be discovered as soon as possible.
The incident in Gacko disturbed the returnees, but also the entire public in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The owners of the house they are renovating and intend to return to, which was shot at, did not want to speak to the camera. When they came to tour the property, they saw that the bullet had gone through the window glass and hit the wall. They reported everything to the police. This family lives in Mostar, and they say they have excellent relations with their neighbors in Gacko.
“I think it’s an extremely humiliating act that no one should allow themselves to do to a neighbor or someone they know at all. I think it’s out of the question, regardless of whose house it is, whether someone is in it or not, I mean things which should not happen”.
After the attack on the returning Krvavac family that returned to the village of Gračanica, we asked the citizens of Gack what they thought about it.
DŽEVAD MEMIC, a returnee to the village of Bahori
“There is no need to create any drama here to buy political points, so those who lead the people are the ones who burn gasoline and our houses, not the poor who will maybe shoot at someone else’s house because they have no brains like a sparrow”.
The returnees we talked to emphasize that they have good relations with their neighbors and local authorities. They believe that the police will find the perpetrators.
AMIR SARIĆ, a returnee to the village of Stolac
“Listen, no serious Serb has done this and no honest Serb, not one regarding the municipality of Gacko”.
ZAIM BERIŠA, advisor to the Federal Minister for Refugees and Displaced Persons
“Also, what I want to say is that politicians from the RS entity are also responsible for such acts that have been happening for some time to returnees throughout the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina with their irresponsible statements, and I also call on them to be more responsible in their statements in their performances because we see that it can be reflected in the ugliest way possible for travelers.”
The house of the returnee family that was shot at was visited by representatives of the Federal Government, as well as representatives of local authorities. An urgent reaction of the authorities was requested.
OGNJEN MILINKOVIĆ, Mayor of Gacko Municipality
“I strongly condemn an act like this, a heinous act, an act of vandalism, a cowardly act, and I would invite the public in Bosnia and Herzegovina and all other people, as an example of life in Gacko, to come and check how returnees live here, how Serbs and Bosniaks cooperate, how the municipality works and how they work and live with the municipality so it could be an example”.
Federal Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić sent a letter to the President and Prime Minister of Republika Srpska in which, among other things, he calls on them all to do everything in their power in accordance with their capabilities and powers to show that there is a place for every citizen in Bosnia and Herzegovina, BHRT writes.