Journalist Danijel Senkić: I grew a beard because of my friends, who were persecuted for it

Journalist and president of the non-governmental organization "Front" from Tuzla, Danijel Senkić, announced on his Facebook profile that he is growing a beard, because of his Bosniak neighbors, who also wear beards, but who are stigmatized or marked in the public in a negative context because of their beards, writes the Patria News Agency.

- A friend asked me why I grew a beard. I barely explained to him... Because of a few of my friends who grew beards because they believe, and belief is a personal matter. Regardless of that, they are stigmatized and under constant pressure, and they are such "Wahhabis" that they hang out with me - a Christian. So, here I am, growing a beard too, because I believe... that they have the right to believe! - Senkić wrote.

Security agencies have carried out several operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina in which several individuals were arrested on suspicion of having ties to radical groups. The majority of those arrested have since been released, as prosecutors could not prove their responsibility. Some individuals have been arrested multiple times. Human rights organizations have warned that clothing style should not be a reason for arresting people, unless there is clear evidence that they are breaking the law, writes Patria.