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Highly divided Bosnia – A place where I must remain vigilant about my backpack at all times

Bosnia is a mysterious word for the Chinese, but for me, it’s a place where I must remain vigilant about my backpack at all times. Before I traveled to Bosnia, several people assured me that Bosnians were hospitable. Consequently, my immediate reaction was that there was nothing wrong with accepting a local’s offer or invitation for coffee or to join a gathering at their home.

The concept of a “stranger” never existed in my mind. When we travel, we consistently encounter new people, and everyone establishes friendships anew. The term “stranger” isn’t merely about how often we encounter someone; it’s fundamentally about trust.

During my trip from Serbia to Bosnia, I carried only the essentials: toiletries, three smartphones, a pair of Bluetooth earbuds, and personal documents. Perhaps for ordinary Bosnians, these items are valuable, especially my electronic devices.

However, upon arriving in the former Yugoslavian region, I encountered a different reality

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I perused the news daily and watched countless thrillers, yet I never anticipated that one day I would become a victim of violence in a foreign country. In China, we were taught to always maintain a positive national image. Even when faced with drama queens, we were expected to suppress negative emotions and keep a stiff upper lip.

However, upon arriving in the former Yugoslavian region, I encountered a different reality. People here tend to be impulsive, and their initial reactions often favor the more assertive side. Interactions are characterized by a mindset of “If you raise your voice, I’ll certainly respond in kind!” I harbored no intention of blaming anyone, assuming that blame would also be kept at bay. But in the Balkans, things don’t unfold quite that way.

I embarked on a short, budget-conscious trip to Bosnia, where hitchhiking was a familiar practice among backpackers. Rather than creating a fixed itinerary with planned stopovers, I decided to go with the flow, relying on hitchhiking or trains to guide my journey. Throughout my travels, having a reliable Wi-Fi connection was essential. The route I chose took me through Serbia: Kovin ➮ Belgrade ➭ Mladenovac ➭ Aranđelovac ➭ Lazarevac ➭ Valjevo ➭ Ljubovija ➭ and finally into Bosnia: Bratunac ➭ Zvornik. It was during this adventure that an incident unfolded on September 23, 2023, around 5 a.m., at a local’s house in Zvornik.

Along with an exclamation “You are a pretty guy!” That’s how the incident started

It was between 0:10 a.m. and 1:00 a.m., and my midnight walk had left me exhausted. Night owls were still out, congregating at café bars. As I stood hitchhiking along Road Braće Jugovića, my presence on the street caught the attention of one man (let’s call him BR). BR, approximately 45 years old, had been enjoying a beer at Kafe Bar xx (the full name of the café intentionally left generic with “xx”) outdoors.

BR noticed an Asian guy on the street—something uncommon in Zvornik. He greeted me with a friendly “Hi” and eagerly approached. Excitedly, he asked for a selfie, exclaiming, “You’re quite handsome!” And so, the incident began.

Despite Kafe Bar xx being closed, BR didn’t offer me a drink. Other clients at nearby tables lingered, reluctant to head home. In Serbian, BR informed me that he was the café’s owner—though I wondered if he might be stretching the truth. Regardless, I didn’t dwell on the authenticity of his claim; after all, he was likely just a passing figure in my life. With our language barrier, I relied on my basic Serbian skills to communicate.

AN stood tall and broad, sporting the typical Yugoslavian appearance—a situation that began to worry me

The conversation between BR and me at Caffe Bar xx revolved solely around basic self-introductions. Soon after, AN joined our table. He stood tall and broad, sporting the typical Yugoslavian appearance—a situation that began to worry me.

AN extended his hand in an assertive manner. His social demeanor was gruff, devoid of any pleasantries. Since AN could only speak Serbian, we relied on Google Translate for communication. Oddly, he seemed hesitant to answer my questions verbally, even in Serbian. Little did I know then that AN had an infamous criminal background in Zvornik.

Despite Zvornik’s small geographical size, it fostered a deceptive illusion of safety. After all, everyone supposedly knew each other. But the harsh reality revealed itself: familiarity with faces didn’t necessarily translate to trust in this city.

An insincere driving offer from AN – When hospitality degenerated into whining about materials

After conversing for two hours via Google Translate, I began to feel the fatigue of staying up late. My usual bedtime is around 10 p.m., and during winter, I sleep even earlier. AN inquired about my travel plans, and I explained that I was aiming for the Karakaj border crossing. My preference was either hitchhiking or walking to Serbia. AN responded by typing, ‘I can take you anywhere by car, but what can I get in return?’ I promptly replied, ‘HITCHHIKING! I don’t want to be charged for the car ride.’

Our conversation continued through Google Translate:

AN: Where is your destination?

Me: Karakaj or Loznica in Serbia—any place along the route to Belgrade is acceptable.

AN: What can I expect from you in return? You’re quite charming!

Me: Thank you, but if you’re not planning to drive, I’ll go to Serbia on foot.

AN: It’s already midnight. Would you like to stay at my place?

Me: Is your brother BR? He mentioned being the owner of Caffe Bar xx. Do you both live together?

AN: Yes, we’re both owners.

AN informed me that BR was his “brother,” and they shared the same living space. I received an “invitation” to their home. As we made our way to BR’s place on the hill, we passed by a shop at a petrol station. BR inquired about my juice preferences, and I selected a small bottled one from the fridge. Meanwhile, BR purchased additional snacks from the shop, and AN and I waited for him outside.

My behaviors were watched by BR and AN at all times, caution evolving into an unrelenting stare

They led me along a lengthy path to a small house on Street Đurđevdanska 1—the very location where the horrifying incident unfolded. This house belonged to BR, or perhaps it was his mother’s (referred to as MI, who was over 60 years old). I remained unaware of MI’s true identity, but BR consistently feared that MI might sense my presence. Throughout the ordeal, MI remained in Bedroom A (adjacent to Bedroom B), until BR and AN forcibly propelled me toward the house’s door. The sudden appearance of MI amplified the shock from the sounds of the two assailants beating me.

In Bedroom B, BR and AN subjected me to a harrowing experience. They had deceived me about the existence of Wi-Fi at their place, leaving me without internet access. From the moment I stepped into BR’s house, my every move was scrutinized by BR and AN—caution evolving into an unrelenting stare.

BR remained suspicious of any sounds, the grim reality unfolded: they had sinister intentions—to rob and assault me without a trace

They forbade me from leaving Bedroom B, and BR remained suspicious of any sounds emanating from Bedroom A. At that moment, I remained unaware that someone occupied the adjacent room. I assumed it was early morning and that silence was appropriate. However, the grim reality unfolded: they had sinister intentions—to rob and assault me without a trace.

During my vulnerable state—whether asleep or unconscious—AN pilfered one of my smartphones and my Bluetooth earbuds. BR had initially posed as a welcoming host, inviting me to Zvornik. Yet, their true motives were far from hospitable. The violence escalated: BR slapped my left cheek and repeatedly kicked my left side after I discovered that they had cunningly concealed part of my belongings in the wrong laptop compartment of my backpack.

Every time when I mentioned my missing Redmi phone, their violent behaviors would be exacerbated

Whenever I arrived at a new place, I developed a habit of meticulously checking the contents of my backpack. It was my way of ensuring that no one had tampered with my belongings. Unfortunately, during one such stay, I discovered that my Redmi phone had been stealthily removed from its case at 4:55 AM. The culprit was BR, who reacted swiftly by using his clothes to slap my face and head. He vehemently denied the existence of my three smartphones, accusing me of having only two. His motive was clear: to cover up AN’s theft.

That night, I was abruptly awakened by BR’s forceful slap. While he had no qualms about assaulting me, he hesitated when it came to confronting AN’s abusive behavior. Instead, BR seemed to derive some twisted pleasure from watching AN mock and taunt me while I was confined to their space. AN, on the other hand, was the primary aggressor, subjecting me to violent beatings. Both my arms were pinned down by AN’s thighs, leaving me defenseless.

AN rode on me and bit my face, it happened repeatedly, seemed like riding and biting were “must do” positions before he emptied his balls. ( In Serbian the literal translation of “Isprazniti jaja” is “To empty balls”, in English, it’s more like “ejaculation” )

They didn’t allow me to leave this place, but when BR saw AN kept slapping me, he started getting nervous, every time when I screamed ” Can you explain your slaps and kicks? ” The violent behaviors would be exacerbated.

After I got a way to escape…

Offline Google map guided me to the emergency department of the hospital in Zvornik, they printed a document about my injury, my left part of the face was swollen.

Emergency Department of the hospital – Hitna Pomoć in Zvornik, BiH

In English, the best way to translate” Hitna Pomoć ” is ” First Aid “. It’s their initial work to tackle an urgent case, no matter the urgency was about anyone’s health condition or any victim’s loss. For example, like my case, Hitna Pomoć offered a sponsorship like method to cover the cost of a quick health check, the purpose of the prescription was for the police to initiate an investigation.

Since one policeman successfully traced AN’s trail, Soon, a group of previously unknown officers joined the pursuit

Writing this report-based article posed several challenges, one of which was maintaining confidentiality with the authorities. The police and hospital staff who assisted me were understandably cautious—they didn’t want to become targets of retaliation by criminals. As a journalist, I understood that maintaining the integrity of the storyline was crucial for making the article comprehensible.

Without delay, I headed to the Zvornik Police Station to report AN and BR’s crimes: rape, violence, and theft. Armed with ample evidence—proof of the assaults I endured, including the slaps—I confronted the local police. Some of the younger officers seemed visibly shaken, as if they had just lived through a nightmare. However, their interest was piqued, and they became resolute in apprehending AN.

As the investigation unfolded, one policeman successfully traced AN’s trail. Soon, a group of previously unknown officers joined the pursuit. Initially, they harbored doubts about the case’s success, given the high frequency of such crimes. Yet their determination remained unwavering. It was thanks to a young officer’s keen eye and a photo he provided—matching my verbal description of AN’s physique—that I recognized the criminal at first sight. Yes, I could confirm: this was AN.

8 Creepy moments in Zvornik ( For the integrity of the storyline, it contains criminals’ odd and violent behaviours)

 In Bosnia, shackled by an insincere food offering

a. Around 02:00am, after BR offered me bread, water with a fizzy tablet, some crisps, gradually I was in fatigue, I was not sure I felt asleep or lost consciousness.

BR abused me in a manner of “fooling with a sex toy “

b. 23/09/2023, at 04:55am, BR slapped my left face violently to wake up me, he took off his pants and took out his penis and placed it to my face, BR yelled at me” Suck my dick “! I rejected bluntly with” No “. The 2 guys slapped my left face hard consecutively. But last night BR was sitting on the fence, he abused me in a manner of “fooling with a sex toy ” when he saw that I was not physically strong enough to fight AN back.

BR brainwashed me by gestures – ” You can’t walk anywhere including the bathroom without my permission”

c. BR and AN didn’t allow me to leave the Bedroom B the first time when BR slapped me, BR’s house was a small two-bedroom house. BR brainwashed me – ” You are in a private property, you can’t walk anywhere including the bathroom without my permission”.

BR kept saying loudly to AN ” Polako! ( In English which means Do It Slowly) ” in the rape scene

d. I was raped, beaten and robbed by AN, the first time when BR slapped me, BR forced me to suck his penis before 5am, they beat me together because I kept rejecting them. AN fastened my arms with his thighs to push me to be against the bed in the Bedroom B, BR kept saying loudly to AN ” Polako! ( In English which means Do It Slowly) ” in the rape scene.

AN grabbed my man bun with dilated pupils, licked my face with a tightened tongue, bit my right cheek, I never experienced this situation before, I worried that there would be a bite mark on my right cheek, he couldn’t stop pressing my arms and chest by his weight, it’s hard to breath due to the pressure.

15 minutes later, AN ejaculated to my face and upper body, AN’s sperm was scattered mainly on my face, I stank of sperm, BR forbade me from going to the only bathroom via the only living room without explaining anything. If I didn’t listen to their order, they would slap or kick my chest. Afterwards AN went to the living room and used a despiteful gesture to me to indicate ” You are not a good sucker for penis! ”

In a legal term and in some countries, Rape is an action bound by ” A male did a rape to female “

e. In a less developed country like BiH, if any male was sexually assaulted, and all the assaults were testified, police verbal account was more like ” The offender was arrested and detained, because he beat you. ” In a legal term and in some countries, Rape is an action bound by ” A male did a rape to female “!

The diminutive and smooth figure might be exotic to certain typical rough people

f. In the Balkans, small, cute or effeminate guys are more likely to be targeted by sex offenders and abusers, Several Serbian or other Balkan humours/jokes are sexually suggestive, the diminutive and smooth figure might be exotic to typical rough Balkan guys.

AN’s hidden drug addict background was unveiled in Zvornik Police Station

g. According to an informed source, AN has a history of being in detention due to Narcotics+Cocaine intake.

A cold pretext ” Me is me, you are you, you should defend yourself”

h. In BiH, prevalence of certain crimes carries a connotation of normality of human nature. The majority’s disregard of face slapping and sexual assaults towards a male victim came with a placebo solution” Beat him back! “. In the end, physically weaker victims are more likely to be judged by the masses with a cold pretext ” Me is me, you are you, you should defend yourself”!

The police arrested the criminal before 07:30am, that’s speedy to get an offender caught

The police arrested the criminal before 07:30am, that’s speedy to get an offender caught, and they found my Redmi phone in the AN’s pocket. AN admitted that he beat and sexually assaulted me. AN also admitted that he stole my other electronic devices ( Impow Bluetooth earbuds) to the investigation police, but at that moment I only noticed that one of my smartphones was stolen, the detached Redmi phone case was left in my backpack. So I only declared that my Redmi smartphone was stolen.

My head was blank due to the sudden robbery and rape, my Impow Bluetooth earbuds (I bought them from Siem Reap, Cambodia) were less valuable than my Redmi smartphone, I didn’t carry the receipt of the Impow earbuds, and I didn’t want to prolong the claim procedure of my Impow earbuds, so I only got my Redmi smartphone back, because I carried the receipt with my full name and a serial number of my Redmi.

There’s always a last straw for criminals to remove the disguise during investigation

The police detained AN eventually due to his violence to me. But the police had a worry over being recorded by me due to some unspoken procedure of a time intense investigation to criminals. If I call the way of the police’ investigation to AN in a sugarcoated way – ” Tit-For-Tat Action “.

There’s always a last straw for criminals to remove the disguise during investigation, if any criminal was stubborn, it’s reasonable for the police to do something by force. In BiH, respect won’t be prioritized for detained criminals!

Legal Logic and Legal Language – As a victim, I Stuck to the purpose of each request to the police

It’s challenging to make a calm narration while you are a victim of several assaults. Once the police confiscated a victim’s phone from a criminal, the belonging of the phone is still unsolved, the police might check any info from the phone. Individual privacy is an inferior in front of the police and public security.

When I was in recovery, I just hoped that my face won’t be swollen so much, one of the obvious symptoms was redness from the slaps. The two on duty morning shift police arrested one of the criminals (AN) successfully.

In the lobby of Zvornik Police Station, they bowed to me in appreciation for the sufficient evidence I provided, at the same time one of the morning shift police delivered kind words from the medical staff in Zvornik Hitna Pomoć ” You are brave, we should learn it from you! “.

Some policemen from one investigation office approached me, tapped my shoulder happily and praised me” You are brave! ” then they walked smartly to the exit.

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