I came to Sarajevo because of a bet, I didn't see any people with sticks

Nele Karajlić detailed in his authorial text for “Večernje novosti” what happened to him during his stay in Sarajevo, which he visited recently for the first time in 20 years, reports the Patria news agency.

– Everything, as always, started as a joke. After a wonderful promotion of my book on Jahorina, at the hotel “Bistrica”, the company relaxed a bit, and with jokes and songs, the idea came up to go down to Sarajevo tomorrow to a restaurant with top-notch food.

I reminded them that my humble self doesn't have a particularly good reputation in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina… That awakened the adventurer in me. I agreed to a bet according to which, if no one recognizes me, I pay for everything in the tavern, and if some s*it happens, he takes over the bill…- Nele began his account.

– Just as we parked in front of the restaurant door, two guys passed by us, and I felt they were bringing trouble. They recognized me… We entered the restaurant and there began the nicer part of the evening… everything was in perfect order, until a waiter appeared who told us that outside there were a few people calling themselves journalists.

They asked if they could talk to Nele… A few minutes later, they told us that some local portal had published the news that I was in Sarajevo… In the next few minutes, it was clear that my visit to Sarajevo would get more publicity than the arrival of the Pope himself… – writes Karajlić.

– A few minutes later, two uniformed persons knocked on the door, armed in the way those who have the task of breaking up demonstrations are armed. They did not enter the tavern, but politely checked if my humble self was in the building. After receiving an affirmative answer, they, just as politely, let us know not to worry, that they were there as long as necessary… Someone at our table said we were protected like a gay parade… – continued Nele.

– When we received information that the police had blocked all approaches to our restaurant outside, I decided to relieve the company of the unpleasant pressure for which I, in a way, bore responsibility, and I asked for permission to leave the building.

Like any serious building, this one, where the restaurant was, had side exits. Using it, I did not see that performance taking place in one of the narrowest streets in the city, and I cannot be a witness to all those reports talking about a crowd of people, sticks, axes, and I don't know what else – emphasizes Karajlić.

– A car was waiting for me on the other side of the street, and while the journalists, who started this madness, were vainly trying to find me in the restaurant, I, with the discreet escort of the federal police, was already on my way to Jahorina – stated the musician.