Latest News from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dr. Kunchev: Bulgaria and Black Sea Coast Will be the Safest Places in Europe
"Bulgaria and our Black Sea coast will be one of the safest places in Europe. We will take advantage of this, but we must continue to comply with the measures, such as conscious lifestyle, personal hygiene and distance, "said Dr. Angel Kunchev, a member of the National Operational Headquarters for Coronavirus at his regular morning briefing.
Montenegro Accused of Anti-Serb Bias for Continued Border Closure
Police and custom officers on Montenegrin border. Photo: Government of Montenegro
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic described the decision as a "ridiculous and senseless move", N1 TV reported.
War Criminals Prepare to Run in Serbian Elections
He has also said that he favours early release from prison for Milorad 'Legija' Ulemek and Zvezdan Jovanovic, who are serving sentences for the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic in 2003. He said that they should be freed because "they are heroes" who fought on behalf of Serbs.
Balkan Muslims Celebrate Eid Feast Amid Coronavirus
Imams attend Eid al-Fitr prayers that mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Pristina, Kosovo, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ
Muslims attend a morning prayer session to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, at Lokomotiv Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV
Bosnia Probes New Alleged Visa Scam Concerning Iraq
The State Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina is investigating a second allegation concerning the illegal issue of tourist visas, this time concerning Iraqi citizens, Boris Grubesic, a spokesman for the office confirmed to BIRN.
"We have visa-related cases in Iraq and Pakistan. Since both cases are pending, we cannot provide more information," Grubesic said.
Montenegro Avoids Shameful Memory of Deadly Wartime Deportations
"Imagine when somebody takes away your father or husband, in front of your eyes and takes him to his death," said Bosno. "After many years, we buried several of his bones, which were found somewhere around Belgrade."
The family had moved to Montenegro from Srebrenica in Bosnia precisely to avoid any involvement in the war, explained Bosno, who now lives in Sweden.
Budget Delays Force Bosnia to Postpone Local Elections
Bosnia's Central Election Commission, CIK, has postponed local elections due in October for six weeks, to November 15, after political rows held up the adoption of a budget for 2020 and funding for the ballot within the legally permitted deadline to start preparations.
Ratko Mladic Calls for New Postponement of Appeal Hearings
Former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic's defence lawyers have requested that appeals hearings scheduled for June 16 and 17 at the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague be postponed because of restrictions on cross-border movement imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Bosnia’s Long Search for Wartime Missing Persons in Croatia
According to the Bosnian Missing Persons Institute, 102 Bosnian citizens, including Andrea Beganovic, were reported missing in neighbouring Croatia as a result of the war in the 1990s.
"Out of that number, 46 victims have been found, exhumed and identified so far, while the search for 56 people continues," said Missing Persons Institute spokesperson Emza Fazlic.
Bosnian Serb Chief Shrugs Off Illegal Wiretapping Charges
Bosnian state presidency member Milorad Dodik on Thursday dismissed illegal wiretapping charges filed by Bosnian Serb opposition parties and human rights groups as a joke.
Government of Bulgaria Grants Financial Assistance to Western Balkans and Vietnam
The government of Bulgaria approved the granting of EUR 112,000 of financial assistance to the countries of the Western Balkans and Vietnam.
The money is for coping with the consequences of Covid-19 and will be used for the implementation of 6 projects in fulfillment of the Team Europe initiative - the global EU response to Covid-19.
Bosnia Probes Alleged Scam Over Visas for Pakistan Citizens
The Bosnian State Prosecutor's Office is investigating a report from the State Border Police about the allegedly illegal issue of visas for thousands of citizens of Pakistan, Boris Grupesic, a spokesman for the Prosecutor's Office, confirmed to BIRN.
WWII Commemoration Dispute Shows Balkan Weaknesses and Strengths
Some also noted that this controversial issue might have been deliberately politicised and used to fuel party campaigns ahead of elections that will be taking place across the region in the coming months. Croatia and Serbia are to hold general elections at the end of June while Bosnia is scheduled to have local elections in October.
"Grenel speeds up agreement, demanding Kosovo issue to be resolved by September"
Focusing less on the content of the text, Grenell expressed expectation that an agreement between the two sides should be reached by September.
Bosnian Streets and Squares Named After War Criminals
These are just a few examples of respectful tributes that have been paid to war crimes defendants and convicts in public spaces in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past few years.