Fines of 200 KM each for residents of Kruščica trying to stop construction of mini hydropower plant

Three residents of Kruščica near Vitez have been fined 200 KM each, after they, together with their neighbors, have been opposing the construction of a mini hydropower plant on the local river for weeks.
One of the residents of Kruščica, Haris Hurem, confirmed for the Patria agency that he was called to the Police Station in Vitez, where he was issued a citation for alleged disturbance of public peace and order during peaceful protests on August 2 near the river.

„The stance of all residents of Kruščica is that we do not want a mini hydropower plant on our river. Besides that, there is also a water protection zone. None of us are causing problems. Through peaceful protests, we express our dissatisfaction with the attempt to usurp the river. The police came and singled out the three of us. They issued us misdemeanor citations. They are trying to intimidate others and break up the protests in this way,“ Hurem says, adding that the neighbors offered to collectively pay the fine and continue with the protests.

Members of the Special Unit of the Ministry of Interior of the Central Bosnia Canton injured several women in Kruščica this morning, including pregnant women, after residents refused to unblock the local bridge and allow the construction of the mini hydropower plant.

Residents have been blocking the local bridge for several weeks to prevent machinery from reaching the construction site, but special forces removed them from the bridge this morning, during which several women were injured.

Resident Muris Đelilović confirmed earlier for Patria that the special forces came to ensure an unobstructed passage for the machinery, which led to the use of force.

„It was horrifying,“ said Đelilović, agitated.

The dispute between the residents of Kruščica and the investor has been ongoing for years. Đelilović accuses former SDA mayor Advan Akeljić of granting some of the most beautiful parts of Kruščica under concession to the company HIGRACON d.o.o. Sarajevo.

The story about the construction of two mini hydropower plants on the Kruščica river began during the term of municipal mayor Vlado Alilović. Residents say that Alilović did not want to grant a concession for the Kruščica river at the time, despite enormous pressure from the SDA to do so. When Alilović left office, the river was granted under concession by SDA mayor Akeljić, and the current administration, led by HDZ mayor Tomislav Bošnjak Matić, continued to support the project.

During the day, activists from Zenica also spoke out. They warn that the construction of a mini hydropower plant on Kruščica would endanger Zenica's water supply, as the city's largest water source comes from this location.

The residents have also hired a lawyer to protect their rights. They accuse that behind the entire project is a criminal energy lobby supported by politics, writes Patria.