The migrant crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to pose serious security challenges. The notorious B.V.K migrant gang has been kidnapping migrants and extorting money from their families, while also carrying out robberies and assaults in border areas near Bihać. According to operational intelligence, this is an Afghan criminal network operating not only in BiH but also beyond its borders.
Although the total number of migrants in BiH has decreased, the security situation remains concerning. Around 300 migrants are currently housed in the Lipa camp, and some live in fear of the so-called B.V.K gang.
Muhammad, from the Syrian city of Raqqa, said that several migrants from Libya, who were trying to reach Italy, had reported being attacked, robbed, and beaten by a group of Afghans. His story was confirmed by representatives of international organizations.
Silvia Marone stated that her colleague personally witnessed a kidnapping near Velika Kladuša, and the following day, they learned more details from a migrant.
“He said they received videos showing people who had been kidnapped by a group, beaten with a wooden plank, and forced to demand ransom money,” Marone explained.
According to migrants’ testimonies, the B.V.K gang has been operating for at least two years, controlling routes through the forests of the Una-Sana Canton. The group is said to be made up mainly of Afghans. An indictment has already been filed in Bihać against six Afghan nationals.
“Based on initial investigation findings, they were linked to the so-called B.V.K group, but since there is no conclusive evidence that these individuals are members of that organization, we cannot confirm the existence of a formal case against the group,” said Aldijana Porženović Kurtagić, spokesperson for the Una-Sana Canton Prosecutor’s Office.
The Ministry of the Interior of Republika Srpska has also recorded a case of attempted kidnapping. In June, several Afghans in the village of Orahova near Gradiška attempted to abduct a group of migrants.
“Police officers from the Gradiška Police Department determined that four Afghan nationals committed the crimes of extortion and unlawful deprivation of liberty against several migrants from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India,” said Dejan Radić, deputy commander of the Gendarmerie Unit in Gradiška.
Žarko Laketa, director of the BiH Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, warned that such individuals are dangerous and use every means available to coerce other migrants into cooperation.
While authorities continue legal proceedings against suspects, migrants in Lipa camp remain caught between hope of reaching Western Europe and fear of becoming the next victims of the gang’s violence.
Source: RTRS
