The Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) is considering a proposal from the Special Department of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime, requesting the imposition of temporary bans on performing functions in the Federal Police Administration (FUP) and the FBiH Government for four high-ranking individuals suspected of corrupt criminal offenses.
According to media reports, the prosecutor’s proposal concerns Vahidin Munjic, acting director of the FUP; Muhamed Ohranovic, FUP officer; Arijana Huseinovic-Ajanovic, chief of staff to the federal prime minister Nermin Niksic; and Ervin Musinovic, director of the Police Academy of the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Prosecutor’s office requests bans on work, access to official premises, and mutual contact
The prosecutor’s proposal states that the suspects should be temporarily prohibited from performing official duties in FBiH institutions, as well as from entering certain premises, contacting colleagues, and communicating with each other. Such measures, the prosecutor’s office claims, are necessary to prevent possible influence on witnesses and the repetition of criminal acts.
Prosecutors claim there is reasonable suspicion that the suspects committed crimes of abuse of position and influence trading over an extended period. According to the investigation, Munjic, as acting FUP director, photographed and forwarded a confidential document from the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office related to checks against FBiH Prime Minister Nermin Niksic – allegedly knowingly endangering the investigation.
Communication via Viber and Signal reveals hiring arrangements
According to prosecutors, digital traces from Viber and Signal revealed an extensive network of hiring agreements within the FUP, including alleged delivery of test questions to candidates.
In the same correspondence, investigators claim, lobbying for the appointment of Vahidin Munjic’s relatives in BH Posta was documented, mediated by Arijana Huseinovic-Ajanovic.
The prosecutor’s office considers this a “systemic action” involving individuals with influence over hiring and appointments in public institutions, which – they claim – undermined citizens’ trust in state authorities and the judicial system.
Defenses challenge the claims: “Prosecutors have no evidence”
The defenses of the four suspects strongly opposed the proposal for bans, arguing that the prosecutor’s office does not possess evidence to substantiate reasonable suspicion.
Defense attorneys emphasized that apart from the expert analysis of Munjic’s seized phones, the prosecutor’s office does not have other material evidence, and that the content of electronic communications was “misinterpreted.”
According to their claims, hiring in FUP was conducted in accordance with regulations, and the prosecutor’s proposal is based on indications rather than solid evidence.
The Supreme Court of FBiH will make a decision on whether to accept the proposed bans within the legal timeframe.
Investigation linked to the “Black Tie 2” case
The investigation against Munjic and the other suspects stems from a case known as “Black Tie 2,” related to a broader operation by domestic and international security agencies targeting a network connected to one of Europe’s largest drug lords, Edin Gacanin, known as Tito.
Munjic was among 23 people arrested in that operation, coordinated by domestic police structures with support from the FBI, DEA, and Europol. Investigators found the disputed correspondence on his phones seized during the arrest, which led to the current proceedings.
The case was initially opened by the Sarajevo Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in July of this year and later transferred to the jurisdiction of the Special Department of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
Focus on combating “systemic corruption”
This case has further deepened public debate about the need to strengthen the independence of police and judicial institutions in the FBiH, especially following a series of scandals in recent years exposing collusion between political structures and security agencies.
The prosecutor’s office claims this is a “systemic pattern” where individual power was used for favoritism, hiring, and exchange of favors, while the defenses insist it is an “exaggerated interpretation” of regular communication among officials.
The Supreme Court of FBiH now has the task of deciding whether to temporarily suspend the suspects from their positions – a decision that could have significant consequences not only for the case itself but also for the perception of the independence of FBiH institutions.
