BOBAN KUSTURIĆ BURIED WITH FULL HONORS

BANJA LUKA, MAY 7 /SRNA/ – Head of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Interior /MOI/ of Republika Srpska Boban Kusturić was buried today in Banja Luka with the highest honors, in the presence of his family, top officials of Republika Srpska and numerous friends.

Kusturić was buried with a salute fired by the Honor Guard of the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska, while the Police Orchestra of the Ministry performed the funeral marches "Last Farewell" and "To the Grave". At the moment of the burial, three helicopters flew over the Vrbanja cemetery as a final farewell to Kusturić. The funeral at the Vrbanja City Cemetery was attended by President of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan, Speaker of the National Assembly Nenad Stevandić, Prime Minister Savo Minić, Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, Minister of Interior Željko Budimir, Director of Police Siniša Kostrešević, ministers in the Government of Republika Srpska, as well as representatives of public and political life and numerous citizens. Earlier, a commemoration was held at Banski Dvor, where it was said that Kusturić had been a great patriot who would forever remain in the hearts of all people because of his immense humanity. Dodik emphasized that Kusturić had saved many human lives and noted that only rare individuals are capable of saving others. "I have delivered many speeches, but this is not a speech - this is the moment when I will say that he will remain with us. He saved so many people. A difficult, wonderful, but honorable job, because only a few can save lives," Dodik said while bidding farewell to Kusturić. Minister Budimir stressed that Kusturić had saved Serbian aviation on this side of the Drina River and that he was a man who motivated and inspired others, someone alongside whom it was easy to accomplish even the hardest tasks. Officials of Republika Srpska also signed the book of condolences opened following Kusturić's death. Kusturić died on May 5 at the age of 52. Boban Kusturić was born on September 8, 1974, in Banja Luka. He graduated from the Military Academy of the Yugoslav Army - Department of Air Force and Air Defense in Belgrade in 1997 and earned the title of aviation officer-pilot. He worked as a pilot in the Army of Republika Srpska from 1997 to 2005. After that, he continued his career at the Directorate for Civil Aviation of Republika Srpska as head of the SAR Rescue Helicopter Unit of Republika Srpska. He served as director of the Helicopter Service of Republika Srpska from 2008 until April 2025, and following its reorganization and the establishment of the Aviation Department, he served as its head. Kusturić led numerous rescue operations for endangered residents trapped in snowdrifts, floods and fires that required urgent evacuation. The public also remembers him for almost daily medical transport missions involving seriously ill patients and pregnant women to major clinical centers, through which many lives were saved. He was awarded the Order of Miloš Obilić by the President of Republika Srpska.