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He was threatened with execution if he didn’t cooperate
The main respondent is a 17-year-old man from Gambia. When the pushback happened, he was part of a mixed group of 14 people trying to cross into Croatia, from Bosnia. The group consisted mostly of young to middle-aged men, including individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. The main respondent was the youngest among them. He reports that their journey began in Sarajevo the 5th of April, around 4 AM, and by 8 or 9 AM, they had reached a place close to the Bosnian-Croatian border. From there, they took shelter in an abandoned building until the evening. Around 6 PM, they started walking. He reports that they then crossed the Una river (the main respondent was not able to remember the specific location) holding each other’s hands for balance and strength.
The main respondent was not able to remember the specific location of the pushback. Through the reconstruction, this area could approximately be identified as the one in question.
After a few hours of walking, the group entered in Croatia. The respondent reports that as they approached the border under the cover of darkness, the group scattered when Croatian police appeared. Gunshots were fired. The main respondent, along with two others, described that he managed to hide undetected for hours while the rest of the group was apprehended. Eventually, he rejoined two Pakistani men and continued the journey on foot, navigating through an unknown Croatian city. He informed reporters that communication was difficult due to SIM card issues, and they became increasingly disoriented. The respondent described that eventually he ventured alone into the city to find internet access. There, he was confronted by police who, upon checking his phone, confirmed his identity and age. Despite claiming to be alone, the officers suspected he was part of a larger group and threatened him with violence unless he revealed their location. He described that the situation escalated rapidly: within minutes, four police vehicles (normal police car) had arrived, and he was threatened with execution if he didn’t cooperate. A particularly aggressive officer pushed him into a police vehicle and physically assaulted him, kicking. Upon realizing he was a minor, another officer softened slightly but still pushed him into the car forcefully.
The respondent reported that the police then used a drone to locate his friends in hiding. When the drone confirmed their location, they turned the vehicle around and arrested the remaining members. Then the group was brought to the Bosnian border where he reports that they were met by masked officers in boots who seemed to be specially equipped for nighttime and undercovered operations. The two men with the main respondent were severely beaten. The Pakistani man was especially targeted, possibly seen as the group’s leader. The respondent described consistent violence: slaps, punches, kicks, and confiscation of phones and personal belongings.
The main respondent described that he was terrified, and fearing for his life, so he made a desperate escape. As the police momentarily loosened their grip, he slipped free and started running as fast as he could, then bolted up a rocky slope. He described that while trying to climb over a rocky wall, he slipped, fell, and got injured. Even though he was in pain, he crossed a freezing cold river on foot. When he finally reached the other side and was out of sight, he collapsed from exhaustion and the cold.
The respondent reported that the police then used a drone to locate his friends in hiding. When the drone confirmed their location, they turned the vehicle around and arrested the remaining members. Then the group was brought to the Bosnian border where he reports that they were met by masked officers in boots who seemed to be specially equipped for nighttime and undercovered operations. The two men with the main respondent were severely beaten. The Pakistani man was especially targeted, possibly seen as the group’s leader. The respondent described consistent violence: slaps, punches, kicks, and confiscation of phones and personal belongings.
The main respondent described that he was terrified, and fearing for his life, so he made a desperate escape. As the police momentarily loosened their grip, he slipped free and started running as fast as he could, then bolted up a rocky slope. He described that while trying to climb over a rocky wall, he slipped, fell, and got injured. Even though he was in pain, he crossed a freezing cold river on foot. When he finally reached the other side and was out of sight, he collapsed from exhaustion and the cold.
Signs of the injury caused by a fall during the nighttime escape from the police.
Having crossed back into Bosnia, the main respondent described that he found himself alone and freezing in the early hours, around 2 to 3 AM of the 6th of April. He began walking, trying to retrace his steps to the abandoned building where they had initially stayed before crossing the border. He was freezing, so he tried to approach houses, ringing doorbells to ask for help, but he was met with fear and rejection.
He described that eventually, while walking along a street, he noticed a sleeping bag near a wall. When he approached, he discovered it was his Pakistani friend. Reunited with his companions, he learned that they, too, had endured severe beatings and believed he had died during the escape, as they had stopped hearing his voice.
Though he didn’t remember the exact name of the town, he estimated it was around 45 kilometers from Bihać, possibly near Velika Kladuša. Exhausted, injured, and emotionally scarred, he eventually made it back to Bihać. He and his companions managed to return only because, in the late morning, a young woman saw they were in distress and kindly lent them her phone. With it, they were able to contact someone who arranged for a taxi to pick them up. The ordeal left deep physical and psychological wounds. The brutality of the Croatian police, especially given his young age, was something he said made him “hate Croatia” – a country that he states he had once admired because of his love for football.
He described that eventually, while walking along a street, he noticed a sleeping bag near a wall. When he approached, he discovered it was his Pakistani friend. Reunited with his companions, he learned that they, too, had endured severe beatings and believed he had died during the escape, as they had stopped hearing his voice.
Though he didn’t remember the exact name of the town, he estimated it was around 45 kilometers from Bihać, possibly near Velika Kladuša. Exhausted, injured, and emotionally scarred, he eventually made it back to Bihać. He and his companions managed to return only because, in the late morning, a young woman saw they were in distress and kindly lent them her phone. With it, they were able to contact someone who arranged for a taxi to pick them up. The ordeal left deep physical and psychological wounds. The brutality of the Croatian police, especially given his young age, was something he said made him “hate Croatia” – a country that he states he had once admired because of his love for football.
overview
3 people ,
from Gambia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal,
aged between 17-40.