Jukić: Strong solidarity from Montenegrin institutions and citizens, the graffiti can only inspire us to strengthen relations

The Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Montenegro Branimir Jukić told ETV Portal that institutions reacted promptly after a scandalous message appeared on the concrete fence of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s diplomatic mission in Podgorica reading “General, thank you for Srebrenica,” openly glorifying the genocide committed in July 1995 and the convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić. He said that the perpetrators caused a counter-effect and that such an act can only inspire the two countries to further strengthen their relations.

The message on the Embassy represents a gross denial and relativization of the Srebrenica genocide, in which more than 8,000 Bosniaks were killed, and for which dozens of individuals have been sentenced to a total of 781 years in prison.

Jukić said that they immediately notified the police about the graffiti they discovered this morning, and that a crime-scene investigation team reacted quickly and carried out its work. He noted that the Embassy was also contacted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, as well as numerous citizens who condemned the act.

- There has truly been great solidarity from Montenegrin institutions and citizens who are calling the Embassy to express support, apologize, and condemn the inscription. I express my gratitude to the institutions and citizens, and this can only inspire us to strengthen good-neighborly relations - Jukić said in a statement to our portal.

According to unofficial information provided this morning to ETV Portal by the police, measures and actions are being undertaken to identify the perpetrators of the graffiti.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the writing of the graffiti, stating that this vile and unacceptable act represents a direct attack not only on the diplomatic mission of a friendly country, but also on fundamental civilizational values, the culture of remembrance, and the dignity of the victims of the gravest crimes committed on European soil since the Second World War.

- Montenegro unequivocally condemns any attempt to deny or relativize the genocide in Srebrenica, as well as the glorification of war crimes and their perpetrators. Such actions are contrary to the policy of good-neighborly relations and Montenegro’s commitment to contributing to regional reconciliation, stability, and lasting peace - the MFA said in its statement.

As reported by the portal Istraga.ba on the social network X, in addition to the disputed inscription, a four-pointed cross was also drawn on the embassy wall — a symbol which, in this context, is associated with extremist and nationalist iconography.

Legally established genocide

The genocide in Srebrenica was the culmination of a years-long policy of ethnic cleansing against Bosniaks. It was planned and carried out by the authorities of Republika Srpska, with direct support from the regime of Slobodan Milošević and the then Yugoslav Army. Men and boys were killed, as well as women, the elderly, and girls.

The Srebrenica genocide is not only a moral fact, but also a legal one: It has been confirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Srebrenica is not a “tragedy” or a “crime” in an abstract sense — it is genocide, planned, ordered, and carried out.

To date, 54 individuals have been sentenced to a total of 781 years in prison, including five life sentences. Among those convicted are the highest military and political leaders of Republika Srpska and the Bosnian Serb army, including Ratko Mladić, Commander of the Army of Republika Srpska — life imprisonment; Radovan Karadžić, President of Republika Srpska — life imprisonment; Vujadin Popović, Chief of Security of the Drina Corps — life imprisonment; Ljubiša Beara, Head of Security of the VRS Main Staff — life imprisonment; and Drago Nikolić, security officer — 35 years in prison.

Numerous other members of the VRS, the RS Ministry of Interior, and civilian structures have been convicted before the Hague Tribunal and domestic courts.

After the executions, bodies were moved to secondary and tertiary mass graves. The aim was clear - to conceal the crime, erase the truth, and kill even the memory.

Last year, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 11th of July as the International Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide.