Una-Sana Canton Government Declares July 10th a Day of Mourning

(Patria) - The Government of the Una-Sana Canton (USK) at its 31st session adopted a decision to declare July 10, 2023, a Day of Mourning in this canton, on the occasion of the commemoration of the mass execution in Biljani, Ključ municipality, on July 10, 1992.

The Day of Mourning is marked by the mandatory flying of the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina at half-mast on all buildings housing cantonal government bodies and local self-government unit bodies, as well as buildings where legal entities are seated or conduct their activities, or where natural persons conduct independent activities.

Also, no entertainment events may be held on the Day of Mourning, and the media will adjust their programming to the Day of Mourning.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the crime against the Bosniak civilians of the village of Biljani near Ključ. The attack on this village began in the early morning hours of July 10, 1992, and was led by the 17th Light Infantry Brigade of the VRS, in cooperation with reserve and active police officers from the Sanica Police Department.

The consequence of this attack was the massacre of about 264 civilians of Bosniak nationality who were residents of the village of Biljani, which led to the almost complete disappearance of this place in Bosanska Krajina.

Among the killed were six children. The oldest victim was 85-year-old Bećo Ćehić, while the youngest victim was a four-month-old baby, Amila Džaferagić.

Mass graves in which the victims of the Biljani massacre were found were mostly discovered shortly after the war, specifically at the end of 1995 and during 1996.