Horror in Lukavac: Serb Returnee Woman Murdered, Fear and Anger Rising!
A night that shook Lukavac – in the Rovine neighborhood, an elderly Serb woman, Jela Pejić, was murdered. She lived alone, right next to the inter-entity border. This is not just another sad story – it’s a loud alarm for all Serbs returning to their homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The president of the local community Panjik, Miladin Nedić, confirmed the murder shocked the local community but said there is little information as the investigation is ongoing. Ljubiša Mijatović, president of the Tumare community, called this act a “bad message” to all Serb returnees, who have been struggling for years with obstacles and dangers in their areas.
This murder is not an isolated incident. In January this year, the Cantonal Court in Tuzla issued a guilty verdict against Samel Ćatić, who in July 2022 killed 90-year-old Serb returnee Jovanka Đurić. Is this just the tip of the iceberg? Will the police finally act to protect those returning to rebuild their homes and lives?
While authorities keep turning a blind eye, Serbs in Lukavac and surrounding areas live in fear. Is this a message that return is unwelcome? Is this a silent campaign of intimidation and violence against Serb returnees?
In a country where war wounds have not yet healed, such crimes cast a shadow over every attempt at reconciliation and renewal. If there is no swift and decisive response, who knows what else awaits us?
What do you think? Is it time for everyone to loudly protest or will we keep silent while such tragedies repeat? Drop a comment, share your thoughts – because silence is complicity!
