February 15, 2020

"JUSTICE FOR DAVID" still waits for justice

topic:	Rule of Law
located:	Bosnia and Herzegovina
editor:	Katarina Panić

It has been almost two years since people in Bosnia and Herzegovina have gathered to mourn 21-years-old David Dragičević. The student from Banja Luka went missing on March 18, 2018, and his body was found six days later in the Crkvina stream in his hometown. Police initially claimed it was a suicide. Then, the prosecutor’s office qualified the case as a murder. The investigation still has no results.

The case triggered the long-lasting protest to support David’s parents to find out the truth. The raised hand of "Justice for David" movement is the universal symbol of resistance.

The authorities and police put pressure on the family and human rights activists of the "Justice for David" group enormously from the very first day. They continuously attempt to divide citizens into those who are suitable and those who are not. They forced David's family not only to move from Banja Luka, but they also exhumated David's body and reburied him in Vienna.

The police charged dozens of "Justice for David" members with hundreds of criminal and misdemeanour charges. The lawmakers restricted the freedom of movement, violating fundamental human rights. Last month the city of Banja Luka sued the move for some €90,000 claiming they harmed the town for not getting the millions of income during the previous New Year.

Namely, the clashes between police and protesters in December 2018 led to the cancellation of the celebration. Some 40,000 people have gathered during that period. Police insisted on the names of those who organized a public gathering to fulfil their procedures. All their groups were banned ever since. Now, those names are the ones sued by the city, and most of them are young people, students, and the unemployed. Authorities call them vandals and destroyers of the state.

How far the authorities would go, the very first case against "Justice for David" in Banja Luka-based primary court shows. This week a judge released one of the activists from alleged violation of public order and peace by raising his fist and exclaiming "Justice for David" and "Justice". Police said such behaviour caused the passers-by to be angry and upset. It is concluded from the individuals who approached the police during one of the gatherings and asked them: "What is going on?". Fortunately, not all the judiciary is under the control of the regime.

Image: Facebook