Body of Jean-Michel Nicolier, defender and volunteer, found

After 34 years, the remains of French hero Jean-Michel Nicolier, the most famous foreign citizen who defended Vukovar, have been found. He was killed at Ovčara on November 20, 1991. The remains of three other people have also been identified.

“The remains were found a month ago in a mass grave at Ovčara. They were found about a hundred meters from the hangar, right next to the road. The remains of two comrades were also found next to him,” journalist Vanessa Kupina reported for Croatian Radio Television news.

She recalled that Jean-Michel Nicolier came to Croatia in 1991, despite his mother's pleas not to leave.

“He has become a symbol of heroism, determination, but also international solidarity. The fact that a bridge in the city center is named after him shows how much the people of Vukovar value him. He was in Vukovar when the city fell, as well as a French television crew with whom he could have left the city, but he refused, saying he did not want to leave his comrades and civilians behind,” she said.

“So far, 36 people have been found and identified in Petrovačka dola. Just ahead of the 34th sad anniversary in Vukovar - Croatia is searching for another 1,740 people missing in the Homeland War,” she added.

Nicolier (1966-1991), a French volunteer and Croatian defender in the Homeland War, came to Croatia in the summer of 1991 and actively participated in defense against the Greater Serbian aggression.

In Vukovar, as a member of HOS, he participated in the defense of the city district of Sajmište. He was wounded on November 9, 1991 and transported to the Vukovar hospital.

After the fall and occupation of Vukovar and the entry of the JNA (Yugoslav People’s Army) and Serbian paramilitary units into the hospital, Nicolier was taken along with other Croatian wounded, defenders, patients, medical personnel and civilians and was executed at Ovčara on the night of November 20-21, 1991.

Source: HRT