Hell on Šibenik Beach: Young Men Came to Swim, Greeted by Beatings, Swearing, and a Water Hose!
Have you ever gone to the beach to relax, only to be met with threats and insults instead of sun and sea? Well, that’s exactly what happened to a group of young men near Grebaštica in Šibenik. They came to swim at what they say is a public beach, but were confronted by two men wielding metal rods and a garden hose, threatening them, swearing, and dousing their belongings with water!
What actually happened?
The young men arrived at a concrete pier near Grebaštica, left their belongings, and went swimming. Soon after, two older men attacked them, claiming the area was a private beach. One man was seen swinging a metal rod, while the other sprayed their belongings with water from a hose. The entire incident was recorded on a mobile phone and the footage was sent to the media.
Why is this a problem?
According to the Croatian Maritime Property Act, beaches, piers, and the seashore are public property and accessible to everyone. Homeowners along the coast are not allowed to restrict access to beaches unless they have a valid concession, which was not evidenced in this case. Therefore, these men have no right to prevent people from using the beach.
So why do such incidents happen?
The young men reported that the attackers used harsh words, calling them “Chetniks” and claiming they were disturbing their peace. The situation is simultaneously ridiculous, tragic, and sad because the coastline is almost entirely occupied by piers and developed beaches, with almost no natural rocky shore left. People wanting to enjoy the sea and sun often face such unpleasantness.
What does the law say?
Articles 11 and 12 of the Maritime Property Act clearly state that the seashore is state-owned and accessible to all citizens. Homeowners cannot restrict access to beaches without a concession. In this case, there were no signs or prohibitions indicating private ownership or concession.
Conclusion
This incident is just the tip of the iceberg of problems with beach access in Croatia. While some fight for their right to rest and swim, others behave as if they own public property, using violence and threats. Will we allow our public beaches to become private fiefdoms? Or will we stand up for the rights of all citizens?
If you’ve ever experienced a similar situation or have thoughts on this issue, feel free to drop a comment. Maybe it’s time we all ask ourselves – who really owns the sea?
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