When people in the region heard that Fikret Dedic was going to jail, they could not live with the idea that a poor man had to serve time because he was cutting wood so his family does not freeze.

They not only collected enough money to pay for his freedom but also to help the family which is in a difficult financial situation.

The municipal court in Bosanska Krupa sentenced Dedic a month and a half ago to six months in prison for cutting down three cubic metres of public forest. His wife and three children were to spend that time without their only provider.

A picture of Dedic and his daughter sharing an emotional hug before he went to jail went viral in November. People felt sorry for the family but were also furious with authorities.

The citizens’ association ‘For a better Sanski Most’ went on to gather funds to help family Dedic. According to the head of the association, Ermin Karic, an amount of 12,800 Bosnian Marks was already paid into the budget of Bosnia’s Federation (FBiH) entity, and the municipal court in Bosanska Krupa granted Dedic’s plea for the remainder of his prison term, four months and nine days, to be swapped for a fine.

According to the ruling, every day that Dedic was supposed to remain in prison cost 100 Bosnian Marks.

“We are happy that such a decision was made and we consider it our victory. We don’t doubt that it was made due to huge public pressure which emerged in this case, although family Dedic could also solve a lot of its problems in life with this money,” Karic told Nezavisne Novine.

He added that many responded to calls to help Dedic and that this included purchasing a cow for the family.

The family's only monthly income is 50 Bosnian Marks, which is because of Dedic’s service during the war. He was wounded several times.

His wife, Ramiza Dedic, said that her husband worked for a short while at the local public utility company about a year ago until he slipped and fell, had a brain concussion and broke his left foot. Now he has a steel bolt in his leg.

Since the fall, however, Dedic is unable to work hard menial jobs.

“We are glad about Fikret being freed as he would have suffered consequences from staying in prison, most of all regarding his physical health,” Karic said.