On the 3rd of October, 10 people from Pakistan were deported from Croatia to Velika Kladuša. The police beat them and tried to force two of them to kiss; when they refused, they were beaten even more violently than before.

The respondent said that he and other 9 people left Lipa camp on Friday evening; they arrived in Velika Kladuša and stayed there all day Saturday. On 3rd October at 4 in the morning they started their journey, which last only a few hours; after 6 hours of walking, around 10 in the morning, they were caught in the forest by Croatian police.

The respondent said there were 4 Croatian policemen with a blue uniforms and masks and 6 “civil” policemen. The policemen forced the 10 people to undress; they remained in their underwear.

“They told us to remove our clothes. Then they beat us; we received 12-15 sticks per person”. 

Meanwhile, the respondent said, one policeman tried to force two people in the group to kiss. They refused and the police beat them even more violently.

“They asked two of us to kiss; but we are friends, we don’t want that, It’s a big problem. So they beat us even worse.”

The respondent said that Croatian police stole all their personal belongings; they left them with their t-shirts and trousers but they forced them to leave their shoes.

“Policemen asked for our mobile, but we didn’t have it with us; they got angry and beat us again. After that, they kept on asking where are your girlfriends, we want to see them, but we say we don’t have girls with us, we were alone.“

The group was driven back to the border near Velika Kladuša inside a van; they were left at the border with Bosnia. The respondent said they were all really tired and their feet hurt: the shoes were stolen by police. They tried to call some organizations, seeking any kind of help. One organization came and gave them food, but suddenly left.

“I didn’t ask for asylum, they didn’t listen. I didn’t say a word, I was too scared.”

The group came back to Lipa camp by walking; they were not wearing shoes.