VANDAL ATTACK ON CHURCH NEAR MAGLAJ - ATTACK ON SERB RETURNEES

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 2 /SRNA/ – The vandal attack on the Church of St. Petka near Maglaj is an attack on Serb returnees and their fundamental human rights, Head of the Association of Serbs from the Region Miodrag Linta said.

Linta strongly condemned the vandal attack on the church, which occurred during the night between Wednesday and Thursday, September 30 and October 1.

"The competent institutions have an obligation to establish all the circumstances of this incident and ensure that those responsible are sanctioned. If the perpetrators are not found and punished, this will further deepen Serb returnees’ distrust of," Linta said.

He said that for the small number of Serb returnees in Donja Bočinja, the Church of St. Petka represents one of the few places where they gather and maintain their faith, traditions and national identity.

"That is why the attack on their religious site is simultaneously an attack on their fundamental human rights," Linta said.

He added that it is particularly concerning that, instead of receiving institutional support to rebuild their lives and property, the returnees are now facing the destruction of a religious site that they themselves had been restored.

Linta stressed that people who have returned to their centuries-old homes have the right to live freely, rebuild their property and visit their church without fear.

"The Serb people in Donja Bočinja have the right to peace, security and a dignified life. No one may call that right into question, and every attempt to intimidate them or destroy their religious sites must receive a clear institutional response in accordance with the law," Linta said.

The religious site, which is around 100 years old, was damaged. Serb returnees had begun restoring it using their own funds and donations, the Association of Serbs from the Region said.

According to available information, the church’s roof and facde were damaged, gutters were stolen, and traces of vandalism were left on the walls and roof.