Mining of Houses in Former Sector South

The following report focuses on the recent mining of houses, belonging to Serbs in the village of Kricke in former sector south.

Accompanying Split human rights activist, Mr. Rogosic, Otvorene Oci visited the village of Kricke after the family V. reported the mining of their houses on May 30, Croatian Statehood Day.

The family have three houses in the village and since Operation Storm they have been visiting them regularily to carry out repairs and prepare them for their return. The family last visited the houses on May 27, before returning to Split. On the morning of May 30, they were phoned by a neighbour in the village and informed that their homes had been blown up by mines. Three separate detonations had occured between 2.55 am and 4.50 am. The family went to the village the same day and discovered that two of their homes were completely destroyed and the third was damaged. In addition, a neighbours house was also partially destroyed.

The family informed the police in Drnis about the incident and the police told them they had already been to the scene that morning and put signs to warn of the mines. Mr. Milan Didara, the duty officer also informed the family that the act had been carried out by professionals, based on the way the explosions had occured.

Mr. Rogosic and Otvorene Oci accompanied the family to the police station in Drnis to inquire about the investigation. Once there, they were informed that a copy of the police report could not be made available to the family without the permission of the court in Sibenik and that they could not give any information as to whether an investigation was being undertaken.

Otvorene Oci spoke with other organisations working in the area and discovered that this was not the first occasion people returning to their homes had been targeted. ECMM reported that in the village of Debelo Brdo, a similar incident had occured. A couple had returned to their home to carry out some repairs on a number of occasions, however on the most recent visit, when they removed a bench a mine was detonated. Both are now in hospital, the husband having had both his legs blown off and the wife suffering from injuries.

Other reports of such incidents are also becoming known and concern is being expressed, by local human rights activists, at the lack of police response. While the police are acknowledging these incidents, human rights activists feel that little is being done to apprehend those responsible and prevent further such incidents. Also of concern is the safety of people wishing to return to the area, especially since the Croatian government has officially stated its' desire for people to return to their homes. With still some areas without running water and electricty, the added danger of mining of houses is increasing the concern of local human rights activists.

The above text may freely be reproduced, copied, or translated, in whole or in part, as long as the source is stated as the Balkan Peace Team.