On Thursday, on behalf of the United States (U.S.) citizens, the Ambassador of the U.S. to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Michael J. Murphy, paid tribute to the memory of 33 Croatian civilian victims of the Grabovica massacre.
”Accept and acknowledge the facts, teach the truth to future generations, and honor the victims. This is the only road to a future that reconciles the people of BiH,” said the ambassador on the Twitter profile of the U.S. Embassy to BiH.
The Grabovica massacre refers to the murders of 33 ethnic Croat inhabitants of the village of Grabovica located between Jablanica and Mostar by members of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The massacre occurred during Operation Neretva ’93, which aimed to conquer HVO-controlled areas from Bugojno to Mostar. The victims included 17 women and one child. The youngest victim was Mladenka Zadro, a four-year-old girl, and the oldest, 87-year-old Marko Marić.
Bosnian commander Sefer Halilović was indicted by ICTY on the basis of superior criminal responsibility and charged with one count of violation of the laws and customs of war (Article 3 – murder). Having examined all the evidence presented to it and in light of its factual findings, the ICTY found that the Prosecution did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that Halilović had effective control over the troops in Grabovica on 8 and 9 September 1993, who the Trial Chamber has found committed the crimes. Halilović was subsequently acquitted and ordered released immediately.
Photo: Fokus
