Demobilised Fighters Seek Political Asylum from OHR, Prosecutor Decides on Detained Fighters

SARAJEVO, (Patria) -  Demobilised fighters gathered in front of the Federal Parliament building are signing a petition seeking political asylum from the OHR and the EU Delegation. 

Today, the fighters first blocked traffic near the Federal Parliament to protest the failure to schedule a parliamentary session, then proceeded to Obala Kulina bana, where a clash with police occurred near the Faculty of Law building. Tear gas was used, and the demobilised fighters claim about a hundred of them were injured. Two individuals have been deprived of their liberty. 

Several police officers were also injured. After nearly two hours, the demobilised fighters returned to the front of the Federal Parliament building, but a police cordon prevented them from moving towards the Centar Police Station. They demand the release of the arrested demobilised fighters. 

Lawyer Mirnes Ajanović, who spent the day with the fighters, managed to see two of the detained individuals but not the third. He told the gathered former fighters that police footage clearly shows one of them striking a police officer. 

- The police identified the attacker on the police officer, who has three stitches, characterised as grievous bodily harm, and the detainee will be handed over to the jurisdiction of the cantonal prosecutor - Ajanović said. 

He explained to the fighters that the police do not have the authority to release the detainees and that their processing is ongoing.

Incidentally, the fighters claim they will remain in front of the Federal Parliament building until their demands are met.