Serb List on the anniversary of the killing of children in Gorazdevac: Impunity encouraged new crimes

The Serb List stated that today we remember one of the most difficult and painful days for the Serbian people, when, more than two decades ago, boys Pantelija Dakic and Ivan Jovovic were brutally killed while carefreely enjoying a summer day swimming, and several of their peers were seriously injured. They emphasized that the impunity for this crime has encouraged new offenses.

The Serb List stressed in a statement that the crime against innocent Serbian children remains unpunished to this day.

“Impunity has encouraged new crimes. Instead of justice being served, the closure of the investigation and the lack of accountability for the perpetrators have emboldened extremists and criminals to continue persecuting Serbs, culminating in the 2004 pogrom. This continuity of injustice is deeply ingrained in the consciousness of our people and represents a heavy burden for all who believe in justice and truth. The pain of families and the nation does not cease. We sympathize with the families of the murdered and wounded, whose lives have been forever marked by this crime. Their wounds still bleed today, as does the wound of the entire Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija. 
As a people, despite everything, we do not give up searching for the truth – who fired, who ordered it, who covered it up, and why the perpetrators are still free,” the Serb List declared.

They highlighted that Gorazdevac remains a symbol of survival, and despite all the suffering, the residents preserve their homes, faith, and identity.

“The memory of Pantelija and Ivan will forever be woven into the existence of the Serbian people in these regions,” the Serb List added.

“They have become symbols of our existence, as well as of our resistance and persistence to remain and survive. Support from the state of Serbia will not be lacking,” the statement said.

They also stated that the Serbian state and Serb List will continue to support returnees and all those living in the area, in order to preserve the Serbian name and life in Kosovo.

“In the absence of justice on earth, we must believe in divine justice, which is the only eternal and inevitable justice. Eternal glory and thanks to Pantelija Dakic and Ivan Jovovic, and may their sacrifice serve as an eternal reminder that crimes must not go unpunished,” the Serb List concluded.

On this day 22 years ago, on August 13, 2003, while swimming in the Bistrica River, Serbian children were fired upon by attackers still unknown today. Ivan Jovovic (19) and Pantelija Dakic (12) were killed, and Bogdan Bukumiric (14), Marko Bogicevic (12), Dragana Srbljak (13), and Djodje Ugrenovic (20) were seriously injured.