SERBS STILL A TARGET OF RADICAL ISLAMISTS IN BIH TODAY

BELGRADE, JULY 21 /SRNA/ - Orthodox Christians remain a target of radical Islamists in BiH today, professor of security sciences Miroslav Bjegović told SRNA.

Bjegović stated that this is confirmed by messages of hate directed at Serbs, which culminated during the commemoration days in Potočari, and the subsequent violence against Serbian returnees in the FBiH. He noted that this should be spoken about publicly, utilizing this moment when the U.S. administration has placed a special emphasis on the protection of Christians. He reminded that Serbs were the target of radical Islamists in the 1990s, and that many individuals who are considered security threats are still present today. He added that this should primarily prompt a reaction from European security agencies, as well as the world's most powerful intelligence services. "It is precisely their members who have committed terrorist acts in Great Britain, the U.S., and across European cities. They are a threat to everyone," said Bjegović. He noted that during a recent visit to the Balkans, the U.S. Secretary for Religion, Mark Burns, touched upon Serbian victims in Podrinje and Kosovo and Metohija, which is a good indicator. "The world needs to know about the attack in Sanski Most as well," Bjegović said. Bjegović stated that the faces of the perpetrators are clearly visible in the video of the violence near Sanski Most, and that it is necessary to insist they be prosecuted. However, he added, it is known that the BiH judiciary is under the influence of the Bosniak part of the leadership. "Even today, they play a role in protecting such individuals who are 'sleepers' of radical Islamism and who can always be used for the political actions of the Bosniak leadership, just as was done in 1992 under the auspices of Alija Izetbegović and his right-hand man Osmanagić, who brought them in and formed the 'El Mujahid' unit," he said. Bjegović emphasized that it is also time for the world, which has so far turned a blind eye to it, to learn about the crimes committed by the "El Mujahid" detachment against Serbs in BiH. He noted that it is especially important to know that across the FBiH-particularly in the Una-Sana Canton area, where the latest attack on Serbian returnees was recorded—several Islamist camps are still active today, a fact the authorities in Sarajevo are well aware of. Mika Davidović and her husband Željko Matić, returnees to Lušci Palanka near Sanski Most, were attacked on July 14 by three Bosniaks. The attack was recorded on camera, and the names and identities of the attackers are known. The police of the Una-Sana Canton conducted an investigation but have not made any further statements regarding this case.