Judge Sanela Rondic made the decision after hearing, to order Almir Cehajic Batko into one-month custody, his defense attorney Omar Mehmedbasic confirmed for Avaz. As a reason for ordering custody, the court cited the possibility of repeating the crime.
Last night, Cehajic was transported from custody to the Abdulah Nakas General Hospital in Sarajevo due to his deteriorating health. As Cehajic’s lawyer Omar Mehmedbasic confirmed for “Avaz”, Batko has problems with diabetes. Last night, Batko was transferred to the detention unit of the Sarajevo Penitentiary, and the court’s decision was very difficult for him, so the ambulance had to intervene.
Almir Cehajic Batko, who was arrested three days ago in an operation code-named “Network” carried out by members of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), was handed over to the Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in Sarajevo today.
Batko, was arrested yesterday in the action of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) on suspicion that he gained illegal property gain of more than 625,000 BAM, Klix.ba has learned. In addition to him, two other people are suspected, one of whom is currently outside BiH.
Namely, a well-known TV personality and organizer of numerous humanitarian actions in the “Network” case is suspected of criminal acts related to fundraising for the purpose of treating patients and organ transplants to persons from BiH in hospitals outside our country, which offered such services.
Unofficially, Klix.ba learns that in addition to the stated amount of 625 thousand BAM, there are suspicions of raising and disposing of loans on behalf of the company “City – Open Network” from Sarajevo, which, according to investigators, caused damage to the company in excess of 50 thousand BAM.
Almir Cehajic Batko and two other persons are charged with obtaining illegal property gain in that amount. Namely, in addition to Batko, an investigation is underway against two other people, one of whom is currently in Turkey.
Earlier today, it was confirmed from SIPA that police officers, on the order of the Canton Sarajevo Prosecutor’s Office, conducted searches in four areas in the canton as part of the “Network” operational action. Searches were conducted in two residential and two business buildings, and one person has been arrested so far.
The actions of the investigators were aimed at detecting the abuse of position and authority, ie money laundering, and the leader was arrested for alleged financial fraud.
Almir Cehajic Batko is a Sarajevo TV presenter, amateur actor, dentist and humanist. He has also acted in many popular series and films, and is the founder of the non-governmental organization Open Network, which deals with humanitarian work. In 2013, the documentary “Slave” was made about him, in which Batko confesses about a difficult period in his life and the illness of his deceased daughter.
