Members of associations arising from the Homeland War of the city of Vukovar began gathering this evening at the site of the mass grave at Ovčara to protest against today’s Hague verdicts under which the Vukovar “trio” was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison – Mrkšić to 20, Šljivančanin to 5, and Radić was released.
Along a stretch of several kilometers from the Museum at Ovčara to the site of the mass grave, hundreds of lanterns were lit, and at the site of the mass grave, members of victim associations silently pray for the victims. Support at Ovčara was also expressed by the mayor of Vukovar, Zdenka Buljan, who stated that she was “shocked and taken aback by the verdict of the Hague Tribunal.”
“It is already difficult for us in Vukovar because everything reminds us of what we have lived through, and tonight it is even harder for us,” said Mayor Buljan in a statement to reporters. She assessed that among the victims and the families of the victims, there is a feeling of “disbelief, sadness, and regret that those who had the opportunity to recognize the victims of this city and the crime that occurred at the end of the 20th century and to appropriately punish it, did not do so.” “That is shameful and speaks about them,” she conveyed, stating that the Hague Tribunal had the opportunity to send a message to the world through appropriate punishment of Šljivančanin, Mrkšić, and Radić that such a crime must never happen again anywhere. According to announcements from Mayor Zdenka Buljan, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader will also arrive at Ovčara this evening to support the victims.
