Stolac Municipality Announces Criminal Charges Over Cemetery Construction

(Patria) - The Stolac Municipal Administration announced on Tuesday that the Majlis of the Islamic Community (IZ) Stolac does not have a legally valid permit for the construction of a cemetery, as the previous permit was revoked because the land is registered in the land registry as state-owned agricultural land.

Despite this, they state that on August 23, illegal works continued in the organization of the Majlis IZ Stolac without a valid building permit, with the participation of certain representatives, ministers, and religious officials, for which reason the City will file criminal charges based on the Law on Construction of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was announced from the City of Stolac.

"Instead of advocating for respect for the laws and institutions of public authority of this country, they are directly calling for the violation of laws and disrespect of institutions with their actions. The City will file criminal charges against all participants in illegal construction and usurpation of state property for committing criminal offenses defined by the Law on Construction of the Federation of BiH," the City stated.

Regarding statements that the permit for the construction of the cemetery is still in effect, the Municipal Administration emphasizes that it has issued a decision to revoke the previous permit for the construction of the cemetery.

"The reason for the revocation is the established illegality; the land in question is registered in the land registry as agricultural land (arable land) in state ownership, and this fact constitutes a legal basis for revoking the permit. Accordingly, court and administrative practice and legal interpretation is that such a building permit could never have produced legal effect, as it was legally invalid from the moment it was issued.

Consequently, all legal actions arising from that permit are legally invalid and cannot be subsequently strengthened, as it concerns the protection of public interest," the City of Stolac stated.

They emphasize that the Municipal Administration, in order to find a solution and respecting human rights and the right to burial for Bosniak Muslims in Stolac, has offered a legal solution and a new location, and has secured funds through the city budget for the purchase of land in the urban zone of the city.

"For this reason, we are surprised by the support that certain officials and the entire public are giving to such illegal actions. Regardless of whether they are ministers, representatives, city councilors, religious officials, and other persons holding public office, we are all obliged to respect the laws and institutions of this country, and not to publicly support illegal conduct that leads to the disruption of inter-ethnic relations and the security situation in the city. The Municipal Administration clearly emphasizes its commitment to consistent respect for the laws and the constitutional order of this country. Within this framework and with full respect for the rights of all citizens to a dignified burial, it is ready to actively participate in finding a legal solution to this problem," the statement reads.