One of the victims during the genocide in Srebrenitsa in July 1995, Behia Rotich, after 30 years, will betray the remains of his mother Fata Bektich.
Rotich lost her mother on July 11, 1995 during massacres committed by Serbian forces in the city of Srebrenitsa in Bosnia and Herzegovin before the eyes of the international community. Despite the past decades, the woman admits that she cannot forget the experience of grief and finds comfort only in memory of her mother.
Fata Bektich, the only woman and the most elderly of the seven victims, which this year will be betrayed by land during memorable events in Srebrenitsa. Behiya Rotich told Anadol that after capturing the city by the Serbs they went towards Potocari.
According to Rotich, due to advanced age, the mother was able to go only on horseback. On the way next to them, a mortar shell exploded, and Fata Bektich died from fragmentation wounds. “Every time I recall everything that we had to endure, it is difficult for me to say,” Rotich admitted. “It is impossible to forget. Memories cause unbearable pain.”
Her husband, Rabbzzo Rotich said that he learned about these events from the stories of his father -in -law, Meho Bektich. “They informed the authorities about what happened. After that, two Serbian soldiers and four young people with shovels came,” Rabbzzo Rotich said. “The father -in -law asked his wife’s grave to be dug up deeper. But the Serbian soldiers answered him:“ You are grateful for it, ”and spat on his face.”
According to Rotich, the father -in -law kept money from a previously sold cow in a matchbox. “The same soldiers asked if he had money, and he gave them this box. Then they said:“ You and your daughters sit in a truck, ”they managed to be saved,” he added.
Behiya Rotich, together with her husband Rembzo Rotich, many years again went to Srebrenitsa to find the burial place of Fata Bektich. They managed to find the site where, as they expected, the mother was buried.
from the remains discovered at this place, bone samples were taken. Behiya Rotich passed its sample DNA and in January was called to the city of Tuzla to identify the alleged remains of her mother. After confirming the results of DNA analysis, she managed to get the remains and prepare them for burial.
30 years after the perfect genocide, Rotich will take part in the funeral ceremony and, finally, will say goodbye to his mother.
At the Potocari memorial cemetery on July 11, as part of the memory ceremony of the 30th anniversary of the genocide, the remains of the seven victims will be devoted to the Earth.
The youngest among them are Senide Avdich and Hariz Muiich, who were 19 years old at the time of the murder. The only woman and the most elderly victim, whose remains will be buried this year, will be Fata Bektich, killed at the age of 67.