'Path of Truth and Remembrance' march to mark the 33rd anniversary of Ahmici massacre

The commemoration of the crimes committed by the HVO against the Bosniak population of Ahmici, Donja Veceriska and other areas of the municipality of Vitez will last 13 days. A memorial ceremony for the victims, the laying of flowers, recitation of the Fatiha, and the paying of tribute at the Martyrs' Memorial in Ahmici will be held on April 16, it was announced today at a press conference organized by the Association '16 April'.

The commemoration will begin on April 3 with a history lesson for primary and secondary school students in Vitez, as well as the '16 April' Memorial Karate Tournament, organized by Karate Club Mladost Vitez.

Several cultural, sports and religious events are planned, including the marking of Police Day of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Police, the promotion of the book "Sociology of Genocide" by Adib Djozic, and panel discussions titled "The Crime in Ahmici – 116 Innocent Residents of Ahmici Killed" and "Kruscica – Between the Camp and Freedom".

In the early morning hours of April 16, 1993, special units of the Croat Defence Council, known as "Dzokeri" and "Maturice", launched an attack on the village of Ahmici. The ezan (call to prayer) for the dawn prayer served as the signal for the attack.

A total of 116 Bosniak civilians were killed, and the youngest victim in Ahmici was a three-month-old baby.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia sentenced Dario Kordic to 25 years in prison for crimes committed in Central Bosnia, including Ahmici. Miroslav Bralo was sentenced to 20 years, Vladimir Santic to 18 years, and Drago Josipovic to 12 years in prison.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina sentenced Pasko Ljubicic to 10 years in prison for the crime in Ahmici.