Okić accused of strengthening Bosniak families: How did I go from a humanitarian to a terrorist!?

Samir Okić (1973), one of the arrested Bosniaks in the RS Ministry of Internal Affairs operation "Ruben", has been released, but the shock from the accusations, as well as the arrest itself, has not yet subsided, reports the Patria News Agency.

In an exclusive confession for Patria, Okić, known for his humanitarian work, recounted the details of his arrest and detention in police stations in Vlasenica, Bijeljina, and Banja Luka.

What affected him the most was the fact that they searched the homes of the families he helps, including single mother Elvira Memić, about whom we have already written.

- That shocked me afterwards. I really don't know on what grounds they searched the homes to which I bring humanitarian aid every month – says Okić.

Nothing was found during the search of his house and barn where he keeps sheep, and the police took away cassettes with Quranic recitations and some maps from the past war.

- They even searched the hay, and I was completely calm because I know I'm not hiding anything. However, the way I was taken and what I am accused of is extremely unfair and demeaning – Okić recounts.

In addition to terrorism, he is also accused of having, with his associates, "selectively helped Bosniak returnee families through humanitarian aid in order to strengthen them".

- When the inspector told me this second point of the indictment, I was taken aback and only then did I realize the true goals of this arrest operation. I have no complaints about the police officers' behavior towards me, but they were the worst in Banja Luka. I stayed in Bijeljina in premises that were flooded and smelled terribly – Okić explains.

He does not consider leaving Republika Srpska at all, even though he had offers from friends in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to move there immediately.

- For now, I know for sure that I will sue Republika Srpska and the police, because I don't even know what my status is now. No one has explained anything to me except that I am accused of terrorism and helping Bosniak families. I told the inspector myself that I have nothing to do with any radical groups, nor do I associate with such people. It is still unclear to me why I was arrested and taken from my doorstep – added Okić, who was previously a coordinator for the return of Serbs from Doboj to the Federation of BiH.

Samir fears that this is just the beginning of a crackdown on Bosniaks in Republika Srpska and calls on politicians to react as soon as possible.

- People are in panic and I fear the situation will escalate. The fact is that all of this was planned and directed specifically at Bosniaks – Okić added.