Helez in Grabovica paid tribute to victims: A crime is a crime, regardless of who committed it

(Patria) - BiH Minister of Defence Zukan Helez visited the village of Grabovica between Mostar and Jablanica today, where he paid tribute and laid flowers for murdered civilians of Croatian nationality.

"On the night of September 8-9, 1993, irresponsible members of the Army of RBiH killed 33 civilians. The murder of Mladenka Zadro, who was not even 4 years old, the murder of the elderly Marko Marić, who was 87 years old, the murder of 17 women, is not and cannot be a legitimate military target. A crime is a crime, regardless of who committed it. Every mother grieves equally for her child, every child cries the same for their parents. Every victim deserves respect.

Today, from Grabovica, I want to send a message that war never happens again anywhere, that there are no more killed and fallen. We must learn a lesson from this and teach our children that no one ever does something like this again," said Helez.

He announced that on Tuesday, May 14, he will visit the Ahatovići execution site, where civilians of Bosniak nationality were killed, and the Sijekovac execution site, where civilians of Serb nationality were killed.

"I also call on all other politicians in BiH to pay tribute to all victims, not just victims from their own nation. Only in this way can we build Bosnia and Herzegovina and a better future," said Helez.