Crimes against the youth of Tuzla
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the 71 victims of the Kapija massacre, who died in a grenade attack by the Bosnian-Serbian army on May 25, 1995, were commemorated today. On the anniversary of the massacre, this date was declared a day of remembrance and mourning flags were ordered to be flown in public buildings. The mass murder, also known as the crime against the youth of Tuzla, is considered one of the most atrocious war crimes committed by Serbian forces against the civilian population of Tuzla.
A powerful explosion tore many of the young victims to pieces
On a spring evening, hundreds of young people were gathered in the popular square in the old town of Tuzla, listening to music and drinking drinks they had brought with them, when the artillery shell hit. The powerful explosion tore many of the young victims to pieces, both Muslim Bosnians and Croats. At that time, the industrial city of Tuzla was declared a UN protection zone by the United Nations, but was unable to offer protection to the helpless people.
Commemorative event in Slana Banja
To commemorate the victims of the Kapija massacre and all victims of the war, a memorial service was held today in Slana Banja, where wreaths and flowers were laid in memory of the civilian victims of the massacre.
The then Chief of Staff of the Bosnian-Serbian army, Novak Djukic’, had ordered the units under his command to fire on the Bosnian town of Tuzla, killing 71 civilians and injuring over 200. The name Kapija (Turk. Kapı, gate) of the square in Tuzla dates back to Ottoman times, when it was used as the entrance gate to the city.
Main perpetrator of the massacre fled to Serbia
In 2009, a Bosnian court sentenced Novak Djukic to 25 years in prison for war crimes due to his responsibility for the massacre, but Djukic was released in 2014 following a retrial. He fled to Serbia, where he is said to still live. The Serbian authorities did not comply with the Bosnian prosecution authorities’ request to extradite Djukic. In Turkish and Azerbaijani historiography, the term technicus Mezalim has become established for mass violent crimes against the Muslim civilian population.