Vlasenica (Власеница) is a town and municipality in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. As of 2013, it has a population 11,467 inhabitants, while the town of Vlasenica has a population of 7,228 inhabitants.

Etymology

The origin is not clear, but due to the name it may be named after the Vlachs who inhibited the region historically.

History

Some 70-200 Serbs were brutally massacred by Ustaše forces in Vlasenica's Rašića Gaj municipality between 22 June and 20 July 1941, after raping women and girls. At the end of July and beginning of August 1941 another group of 50 Serbs from Vlasenica District (mostly from Milići) were imprisoned and murdered. Between 2,000 and 3,000 Muslims were massacred by Serb Chetniks in Vlasenica, from December 1941 until February 1942. The Susica detention camp was established near Vlasenica in 1992. In its one year of existence, over 1,000 Bosniaks were reported to be killed in the brutal prison camp. During the course of the Yugoslav wars, 2.500 Bosniaks were killed in Vlasenica and the surrounding area.

Demographics

Vlasenica during the Bosnian War: It was said that Vlasenica was the headquarters of the Greek Volunteer Guard before they took part in the siege of Srebrenica and the Siege of Žepa. <Greek Volunteer Guard Wikipedia>

Population

Ethnic composition

Economy

The following table gives a preview of total number of registered people employed in legal entities per their core activity (as of 2018):

Notable people