GOGANOVIĆ VISITS ORTHODOX CHURCH IN TUZLA: RELIGIOUS SITES MUST BE PROTECTED

TUZLA, JULY 21 /SRNA/ - Aleksandar Goganović, Deputy Minister of Defence in the Council of Ministers, accompanied by Brigadier General Radovan Jović, visited the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tuzla today, which was recently desecrated in an act of vandalism, and met the parish priest Miloš Trišić.

Goganović strongly condemned the desecration of the church, stating that an attack on a holy site is also an attack on unity, tolerance, and peace among the peoples of BiH. "This is not merely an attack on a single church, it is a message of hatred that we must all jointly condemn. Religious sites, regardless of where they are located in BiH, must be afforded full protection. The competent institutions are obligated to prosecute those responsible," Goganović said. He emphasized that peace and mutual respect must remain the foundation of every society, and stressed the need for consistent enforcement of the law in both the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska when it comes to the protection of all religious communities and their sanctities. Goganović concluded his visit with a call for institutional accountability in such moments, expressing gratitude to the institutions of Republika Srpska, led by President Milorad Dodik, as well as to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in BiH, which condemned the attack. He also voiced regret that the act of vandalism was not condemned by the broader international community. The Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tuzla was targeted three days ago in a break-in that caused material damage and attempted desecration. The incident caused concern among the faithful, and the case was reported to the relevant authorities, who are now conducting an investigation. The Cantonal Prosecutor's Office announced that Dževad Hasić /40/ and Kenan Pulješić /32/, both from Tuzla, have been placed in one-month custody on suspicion of having committed aggravated theft at the Cathedral Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tuzla.