PERPETRATORS OF HEINOUS MURDER SHOULD BE FOUND AND PUNISHED, SAFETY MUST BE ENSURED FOR RETURNEES

LUKAVAC, JUNE 29 /SRNA/ - Deputy Defense Minister in the Council of Ministers Aleksandar Goganović condemned the heinous murder of Serb returnee Jela Pejić in the village of Rovine, in the municipality of Lukavac, and called for an urgent response from the authorities.

"This is an unacceptable act, which I strongly condemn. I call on the authorities in Lukavac and the Federation of BiH to conduct a thorough investigation and identify the perpetrators. Returnees must be guaranteed dignified living conditions, above all, security. The police presence in returnee communities should be increased to restore citizens’ sense of safety," Goganović told SRNA. He emphasized that such crimes, regardless of motive, must not be tolerated, but must be prosecuted and severely punished. "All citizens, regardless of ethnicity, must feel safe in their homes," Goganović stressed. He also called on the international community to condemn the crime and support efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. The deputy defense minister had previously visited the returnee village of Sižje, where he attended a memorial service and a commemorative tournament in honor of Branislav Kulišić Manja, and spoke with local residents who continue to preserve Serb tradition and identity despite numerous challenges.