Veterans return before the Federal Parliament, police cordon prevents further movement

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Several hundred demobilised veterans blocked the main road in Sarajevo - Obala Kulina bana today. After more than two hours of blockade, following a tour of the city accompanied by police, they returned in front of the Federal Parliament building.

15:50 - A police cordon is stationed in Hamdije Kreševljakovića Street and is preventing the demobilised veterans from passing. According to unofficial information, four persons were arrested during clashes with police near the Faculty of Law building. Police sprayed the protesters with tear gas and spray. Many sought medical assistance. Several police officers were also injured.

15:20 - Demobilised veterans demand the release of the detained persons arrested during clashes with police. Lawyer Mirnes Ajanović, who was with the veterans at the protests today, said he was not allowed to speak with the detained persons. One demobilised veteran was taken to KCUS for medical treatment, while another was brought to the premises of the Centar Police Station. A group of veterans and strong police forces are in front of the Federal Parliament building. They are preventing the demobilised veterans from moving. One person has been detained.

15:00 - Demobilised veterans have returned in front of the Federal Parliament building. They say they will stay there until their demands are met. Traffic is blocked on Hamdije Kreševljakovića Street. They claim that several dozen former veterans were injured in clashes with police.

- We did not fight for this kind of state and this kind of treatment. We received information that several buses with former veterans were stopped on their way to Sarajevo. Is that democracy - asks Drago Grbavac from the Forgotten Veterans Association.

14:30 - Former veterans intended to block the road near Alipašina Mosque, but police prevented them from doing so. Tram traffic is still suspended. The veterans still do not have a clear direction of movement.

14:20 - Former veterans stopped at the tram stop opposite the building of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are shouting: Thieves, thieves. Police are following them closely.

14:10 - Former veterans stopped at the monument to the murdered children of Sarajevo. A large number of police officers are securing the building of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tram traffic is still blocked.

14:00 - The main road has been unblocked, and the veterans are moving along the pavement accompanied by a police cordon. Through a megaphone, the veterans say they were attacked, hit with tear gas and beaten with batons.

- The heroes of this country did not deserve this.

13:33 - Former veterans demand that the police move a few metres away from them to prevent incidents. They claim they are being beaten. The veterans are now at Baščaršija.

13:28 - Demobilised veterans continue moving along the main road. Police are following them closely. For now, there are no new clashes between veterans and police.

13:24 - The veterans have reached the City Hall building, they are moving along the pavement, but traffic is still blocked. Many veterans feel unwell after clashes with police who sprayed them with tear gas.

13:01 - Clashes with police occurred near the Faculty of Law building, where police used tear gas.

The veterans say there will be "no traffic" today, and they call on citizens to join them, as well as students of the Faculty of Law.

- We want a register, we want a register - the veterans shout.

The veterans are dissatisfied that a fence awaited them in front of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- We are not against the police. But we are not afraid of conflict - said Hasib Delić from Vogošća.

Strong police forces are deployed around the veterans and are following them closely. Several veterans sought medical assistance after tear gas was used. There are occasional clashes between police and veterans. The veterans continue moving along the main road.