Latest News from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Prosecutor Urges Life Imprisonment for Serbian Security Officials
The prosecutor at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague, Douglas Stringer, urged the UN court on Monday to impose life sentences on former Serbian State Security officials Jovica Stanisic and Franko 'Frenki' Simatovic for crimes committed during the wars in Croatia and Bosnia.
Slovenian Leaders Deny Calling for ‘Dissolution’ of Bosnia
Slovenia's President, Borut Pahor, on Monday, denied calling for the dissolution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying he wanted Bosnia to join the European Union as soon as possible.
Bosnian Serbs Honour Russian Volunteer Fighters Despite Criticism
Ignoring criticism of the event, a Bosnian Serb minister attended a memorial service on Monday in Visegrad for Russian fighters in the 1992-95 Bosnian war, where flowers were laid at the Monument to the Fallen Russian Volunteers at the Megdan Military Cemetery.
UN Court Hears Closing Arguments in Serbian Security Officials’ Trial
Closing arguments in the case against former Serbian State Security officials Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic, who are accused of controlling Serb fighters who committed crimes during the Croatian and Bosnian wars, are being heard from Monday to Wednesday at the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague.
Bosnia Mourns General Divjak, Defender of Sarajevo
Retired general Jovan Divjak has died after a prolonged illness at the age of 84, Education Builds Bosnia, the NGO he established, announced in a statement.Born on March 11, 1937, in Belgrade, he graduated from the Military Academy, the Command and Staff Academy and the War School. He later graduated also from the French Army Staff School.
Montenegro Minister Refuses to Resign for Srebrenica Genocide Comments
Montenegrin Minister of Justice, Human and Minority Rights Vladimir Leposavic. Photo: Government of Montenegro.
Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic proposed the sacking of Leposavic on Monday after the minister expressed doubt about the international court's ruling classifying the 1995 Srebrenica massacres of Bosniaks by Bosnian Serb forces as genocide.
Human Rights Worsened in Central, Southeast Europe, in Pandemic – Amnesty
The COVID-19 pandemic saw an increase in state control over the judiciary and media and further endangered minorities that already suffer from discrimination in Central and Southeast Europe, rights watchdog Amnesty International said in its annual report published on Monday.
UN Condemns ‘Violent Pushback’ of Migrants by Croatian Police
The UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday condemned the Croatian police's allegedly violent pushback of a group of migrants trying to cross the border into the European Union country.
Montenegro’s Empty Resorts Await Summer Season With Anxiety
Locals in Montenegro's coastal resort towns fear another bad tourist season lies ahead, as most of the resorts on the Adriatic are still almost empty. The country is recording a high number of COVID-19 cases, restrictive health measures remain in force and curfew is enforced from 10 pm to 5 am. Intercity traffic is also prohibited.
North Macedonia Scores Stunning Win over Germany in World Cup Qualifying
Germany suffered a stunning 2-1 home loss to North Macedonia in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday, while defending champions France edged Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 and England beat a Poland side missing the injured Robert Lewandowski.
Bosnian Leaders Slammed for Vaccine Scarcity as Pandemic Worsens
Political leaders have come under fire for botched vaccine procurement as Bosnia and Herzegovina is hit hard by the latest wave of the pandemic, with another 2,000 infections registered on Wednesday.
A total of 6,598 people have died as a result of COVID-19 infections so far - 531 in the last seven days alone.
US Concerned About Continuing Rights Violations in South-East Europe
The US State Department's 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, which was published on Tuesday, warned that countries in the Balkans and south-east Europe have continuing problems with media freedom, censorship and violence against journalists, while officials are not being sanctioned for rights violations.
Highway to Hell: It’s Time Bosnia Rethought Corridor Vc
Last month, the EBRD approved its latest contribution to the project - a loan of 60 million euros - even while both the EIB and EBRD's grievance mechanisms are still examining complaints submitted by local residents who stand to be affected by the project. These complaints contain serious allegations that JP Autoceste sidelined local communities in breach of both banks' standards.
Bloomberg – Thousands came to Serbia to get a free vaccine
The president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Marko Cadez talked to Bloomberg about vaccination weekend and some 8,500 doses of vaccines donated to business people from the region.
Bosnian Police Hunt for Wanted US Far-Right Activist
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Service for Foreigners' Affairs told BIRN that police are searching for Robert Rundo, an alleged white supremacist who is wanted in the US for inciting a riot and taking part in violence.