RADANOVIĆ: LAND ILLEGALLY SEIZED FROM SERBS

EAST SARAJEVO, DECEMBER 25 /SRNA/ - A significant number of Serbs whose land in the Federation of BiH /FBiH/ has been illegally seized without their consent have contacted the Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Serbs in FBiH so far, the Committee's president Đorđe Radanović told SRNA.

Radanović said that Serbs are reaching out and seeking legal protection, as well as ways to regain possession of their land.

"There are no words to describe how, in the 21st century, anyone can occupy or use someone else's property without asking, completely disregarding the fact that it is Serbian land and that the Serbian owner never gave consent for its use," Radanović said.

So far, cases have been recorded of Serbian land being usurped in Borci and Bradina /Konjic/, the villages of Hrgar, Ripač, Pritoka, Lohovo and Doljani /Bihać/, the villages of Putovići and Ponihovo /Zenica/, the villages of Ošve and Misurići /Maglaj/, the localities of Kondžilo, Dračići, Jehovina and Gornji Lučani /Kakanj/, the village of Okruglica /Vareš/, and the villages of Mitrovići, Vukmanovići and Priluk /Zavidovići/.

Radanović stressed that Serbs who are registered in the cadastre and land registry as lawful holders and owners were never asked for permission to use their land, adding that some Bosniaks have built auxiliary structures and overnight accommodation facilities on Serbian land for their own needs.

He said that the Committee has so far prepared several official submissions to the competent authorities on behalf of Serbs seeking protection of their property from unlawful interference, and that police authorities have been asked to prevent acts of self-help by individuals who are gaining unlawful material benefit by using Serbian land without any legal basis.

"By submitting official acts to the authorities in the Federation, we are interrupting the statute of limitations," Radanović said.

The Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Serbs in the Federation of BiH has called on Serbs who wish to reclaim their property to contact the number +387 65 090 040 via phone, Viber or WhatsApp, with the message: "Let Serbian property remain Serbian."