For 10 days already, Dobrinka's sons don't know what happened at their mother's dug up grave

The Cankovic family from the Sabac village of Culjkovic are in mourning for grandma Dobrinka, who was buried in a dignified manner on January 5. After they found the grave dug up 15 days later - her sons Mile and Rade are still unable to explain whether they are more saddened by the loss of their mother or disappointed and angry about this unprecedented case of vandalism.

While she was alive, they say, everyone respected and loved her, not only in the household but also in the village, so they feel bad that she cannot find her peace in the grave.

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The family will hardly be able to forget the scene they found at the cemetery as they visited after the funeral. A deep hole was dug up from the center of the grave towards the cross, exposing the casket. Some of the family members almost fainted at the sight, and when they collected themselves, the police were called.

Photo: Telegraf.rs

"A police patrol arrived and the officers were as startled and horrified as we were. They said they don't remember something of the kind happening. They inspected the scene and told us put the soil back onto the grave. We buried our mother a second time and now we hope that the police will find those who did this," says Mile.

The Sabac police confirmed for Telegraf.rs that they are investigating a case of vandalism at the cemetery in Culjkovic, but didn't give any details from the investigation. Desecration of a grave is a criminal offense, the police said, and when the perpetrators are found a criminal complaint will be filed against them with the competent prosecutor's office.

"The targets of vandals in cemeteries so far have been mostly headstones, tomb slates, crosses that get broken. Also, they steal valuable items made of copper, such as flower vases. The police find most of these perpetrators," said the Sabac police.

A spokesman for the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office, Aleksandar Protic, confirmed that the investigation was ongoing and said that the local Police Administration filed a criminal complaint against an unknown perpetrator for the criminal offenses of the violation of a grave under Article 354, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code, and for aggravated theft.

Photo: Telegraf.rs

Since there has been no news from the investigation even after ten days, late Dobrinka Cankovic's relatives are left to comfort and calm each other down. They look forward to the news and speculate about what has happened.

"We don't really know anything except that someone was digging up the grave. We don't know if the grave was being dug up but those doing it didn't get to cover it up again, or if they had just started digging and gave up. We don't even know when this happened, because according to our local customs, we didn't visit the grave during the first week after the funeral. I can't really mourn my mother while all kinds of thoughts are racing through my head," said Mile.

The darkest thought of all is that the vandals may have opened the casket, since theft could be the only motive for someone to dig up a grave under the cover of  the night. The sons demanded that this should be determined by exhumation, but, according to Mile's son, the police and the prosecution said that such a thing was not possible.

"The legal requirements for exhumation have not been met," the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Sabac confirmed for Telegraf.rs

(D. Grujic)