LINTA: ATTACK ON SERB RETURNEES IN VOGOŠĆA SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS HATE CRIME, NOT ROBBERY

BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 3 /SRNA/ – Miodrag Linta, president of the Association of Serbs from the Region, stated that the attack on Serb returnees in the Vogošća neighborhood of Sarajevo was a hate crime, rather than an attempted robbery, as it has been classified by the competent authorities in the FBiH.

"It is concerning that the case, according to available information, has already been classified as attempted robbery, even though the family says the attack was not motivated by theft, but by ethnic and religious intolerance," Linta noted.

He stressed that the attack must not be viewed merely as an ordinary criminal incident and that those responsible must be prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law.

Linta called on the relevant authorities in the FBiH to fully investigate the brutal attack on two Serb returnees, a father and son, at their family home in Vogošća. The 92-year-old father was beaten and subsequently suffered a stroke, while his 68-year-old son was shot at.

He stressed that the relevant authorities have a constitutional and legal obligation to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Serbs in the FBiH and their equal protection under the law, the Association of Serbs from the Region said in a statement.

"No one should be endangered, attacked or discriminated against because of their ethnic or religious affiliation," Linta said.