The fight broke out at a restaurant at Vlašić Mountain on Wednesday as the Eurovision group Dalal & Deen featuring Ana Rucner and Jala, along with the composer of their entry song, Almir Ajanović were at the taping of the program TV Hayat, where they were celebrating the birthday of singer Deen.
Ajanović, pictured below (front) with the group is alleged to be the instigator of the scuffle.
According to the visibly intoxicated songwriter threw a bottle aimed at the group’s rapper Jala, that allegedly missed him and instead hit another Bosnian singer, Šaćir Ahmeti (not part of the group but was also present on the night) giving him a black eye.
Songwriter Almir Ajanović pictured with Bosnia & Herzegovina's 2016 Eurovision group Dalal & Deen featuring Ana Rucner and Jala Source: Facebook
Ahmeti, who shared photos of the black eye on social media has that he will press charges against Ajanović.
Initial reports from Sarajevo suggested that the violent dispute had caused the group to withdraw entirely from this year’s competition, as Lejla Babovic, the head of the Bosnian delegation told “we will now consider the overall situation."
Musician Šaćir Ahmeti shared selfies of the black eye he allegedly obtained as a result of the scuffle (Source: Sacir Ameti via Klix.ba) Source: Šaćir Ahmeti
An emergency meeting was called at the head office of the country’s Eurovision broadcaster BHRT and after consideration it was today confirmed that their participation would go ahead as planned – minus the participation of Ajanović.
BHRT announced in an official statement: “As the incident was caused by the composer of the song, BHRT has decided that Almir Ajanović will not be a part of the delegation and will not travel to Stockholm for the Eurovision Song Contest. This decision was made after we obtained official information from the Travnik Police Department about the incident that took place in Vlasic, where Ajanović injured more people, and because of which misdemeanor charges are filed against him.”
“BHRT has taken this decision taking into account the fact that the performers, who will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest, were the victims of the attack, and that they did not initiate the incident that occurred.”
Group member Ana Rucner posted a message following the brawl, expressing her dismay at the incident, and showing her solidarity for the remaining members of the group.
translated it thus, “As a member of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian team I am shocked by Almir Ajanović’s indecent behaviour last night, which led to some members of our team got injured. Deen, Dalal, Jala and I are very united and responsible, we support each other, we stand behind each other and continue with our preparations for the Eurovison Song Contest.”
Here’s hoping the group will keep it harmonious when they take to the stage in Stockholm! For a preview of what’s to come, watch the official video entry for their song Ljubav Je ("Love is"), below.
