In recent days, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been rocked by a major energy scandal. Boris Misirača, former director of the Renewable Energy Operator, is under investigation for solar quotas and millions in incentives. The criminal complaint was filed based on a report by the Office for the Audit of Institutions of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The case was taken over by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office from the Prosecutor’s Office of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
The Special Department for Corruption, Organized and Intercantonal Crime confirmed to BHT1 that the case regarding alleged illegal operations in the work of the Renewable Energy Operator and Efficient Cogeneration was taken over from the Prosecutor’s Office of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and is under investigation. They also noted that the investigation was previously opened by the acting cantonal prosecutor against one person on suspicion of illegal employment.
“The reason for taking action within the jurisdiction of the Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office of the HNK was the criminal complaint submitted, based on the report of the Office for the Audit of Institutions of the FBiH. By taking over the case, the federal prosecutor, acting in accordance with his powers and competencies, continued to take all necessary actions with the aim of establishing the basis for a possible expansion of the investigation,” said the spokesperson for the Federal POSKOK, Nina Hadžihajdarević.
Six years ago, the magazine “Žurnal” began publishing a series of articles about crime in the Renewable Energy Sources Operator, which was then managed by director Boriša Misirač, stating that an extremely widespread criminal activity was taking place, which resulted in damage primarily to the budget, but also to citizens. But now one of the most important questions is, how to compensate for the damage of about 50 million BAM?
“If at the time when the first allegations of crime and illegalities led by the Director of the Operator, Boriša Misirač, appeared, perhaps the damage could have been reduced… Everything that is coming now, the possible indictment and verdict will not compensate for the damage that was committed, which could have been, if not prevented, then largely reduced, if the Prosecutor’s Office of the Croatian National Council had reacted at the right time,” emphasizes Amarildo Gutić, a journalist for the online magazine “Žurnal”.
Energy expert Damir Miljević agrees that the damage is great, both for citizens and for the economy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who pay a fee for renewable energy sources on their electricity bills. He also adds that this money went into the hands of various tycoons and convenient political figures.
“However, the main problem is how it was possible that this was done in such a non-transparent manner for years while the then director was the director of the Renewable Energy Sources Operator, and I think that this affair must be brought to an end, and the main question is how this money will be returned to the Renewable Energy Sources Operator,” Miljević points out.
Based on the report prepared by the Audit Office of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he previously conducted certain analyses and formed proposals with which, as they say, they will soon go to the institutions in order to eliminate the corruption risks in the field of renewable energy sources, which are enormous.
“It is important who entered this story earlier and who signed what contracts earlier, these are irregularities that have already occurred… It is important that we monitor how this money is spent, and that is why it is important that the judicial institutions are involved in this, because I think there is really work for them,” says Srđan Traljić from TI BiH.
We also tried to get answers from Nermin Đindić, who was the federal minister of energy, mining and industry during the mandate of Boriša Misirača, but he did not answer calls. Current minister Vedran Lekić also did not want to speak because the investigation is ongoing, BHRT writes.
