After the Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nermin Nikšić, said that he had received a report that money was being sought for employment in the police in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, there were reactions from the cantonal government and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who assessed the Prime Minister’s statement as unfounded. In the meantime, the Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in Mostar has opened a criminal case based on media reports about corrupt practices in the Police Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the HNC.
The Prime Minister of the HNC, Marija Buhač, also reacted to the allegations of the Prime Minister of the FBiH about accepting bribes in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the HNC, stressing that she did not expect a public official to behave according to the “say-what-you-said” principle, especially not populist and unfounded harassment of the public at the expense of any level of government.
MARIJA BUHAČ, President of the Government of the HNC
“Although Mr. Nikšić said in his TV appearance that he did not aim at anyone with his claims, there is no doubt that the poisonous arrow was fired. However, it remains unclear what motive he fired it at the HNC Government, in which his party is part of the ruling coalition. We do not accept any unfounded accusation that undermines the foundations of public trust in the work of our police, and we strongly condemn such behavior.”
Let us remind you that Federal Prime Minister Nikšić said during a televised appearance that he has information that 10,000 BAM is paid for a position in the MoI of the HNC in the rank of policeman, and 20,000 BAM for an inspector.
NERMIN NIKŠIĆ, Prime Minister of FBiH
Therefore, I really think that the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that the citizens of the Federation deserve that the institutions fight against corruption and crime with all available means and that it is finally time that after massive investigations, someone is responsible for it.”
On the occasion of Prime Minister Nikšić’s statement, the Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the HNC also commented, saying that they had inevitably suffered a reputational damage and that only now should they see what kind of damage this statement really caused them.
MARIO MARIĆ, Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, HNC
“I am probably the person who is most interested in the answers to some questions that the prosecutor’s office will show during its official actions, first of all, whether the prime minister reported this information or data to whom upon learning, if so — to whom, at what stage the case is, whether someone there failed to do something or came to certain knowledge; if the information is not reported, then essentially for what reason it is not.”
In the meantime, the County Prosecutor’s Office in Mostar announced that a criminal case was formed based on media allegations about alleged corrupt practices in the Police Department of the MoI of HNC during the recruitment of new employees. It was said that FUP or SIPA will be requested to act urgently.
