Komšić: Kopanja's departure is a heavy loss for all who knew him

Numerous prominent figures from public life in Bosnia and Herzegovina have sent telegrams of condolence to the Kopanja family, following the death of Željko Kopanjo, director and owner of "Nezavisne novine" and "Glas Srpske" 

Kopanja died today from the consequences of a heart attack, it was announced from this newspaper company.

DF leader and former member of the BiH Presidency Željko Komšić said that he and Kopanja are bound by a long-standing friendship and numerous sincere and open conversations. Komšić believes that Kopanja's premature departure is a heavy loss not only for the family, but for all who knew him.

- On the occasion of the death of one of the founders of independent journalism in BiH and a prominent advocate of peace, unity and tolerance in our country - Željko Kopanja - please accept my condolences – states Komšić's message.

Kopanja died in Banja Luka, at the age of 62. He was born in Kotor Varoš on 21 October 1954. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics, and began his journalism career at Banja Luka's "Glas", today's "Glas Srpske".