SIPA police officers today, on the order of the acting prosecutor of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, arrested the President of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ranko Debevac, and the former director of the OSA of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Osman Mehmedagić. According to available information, they are charged with the same crime.
As the chief state prosecutor Milanko Kajganić said, they are suspected of criminal acts of abuse of position, connected with other criminal acts from the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The two are accused of abuse of official position and today’s action said what I have been saying since the beginning of my mandate, which is that all those who have violated the law – cannot be protected regardless of their position. There are no untouchables and everyone who violates the law will be prosecuted”, said BiH Security Minister Nenad Nešić.
Investigation in progress, information, for now, at a trickle. However, the arrest brings the “Wiretapping” affair back into public focus. The positions and the system were allegedly used for illegal purposes. The main actors are Debevec and Mehmedagić. The claims were made by BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković (NiP). OSA, he says, eavesdropped on politicians and journalists by personal choice. Everything came to light with the change of government and the appointment of new personnel in the institutions.
“I responsibly claim and know that OSA has documented more than 100 cases of abuse of wiretapping without a court order. There is evidence that has been forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office that speaks of his guilt, it is up to them and we are asking them why, when, what and when the prosecution of these matters will begin”.
The prosecution has never confirmed these allegations. However, the connection between Debevec and Mehmedagić has been talked about for a long time. In August last year, the Disciplinary Commission for Judges of the HJPC of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a public warning to Debevec, and the second instance acquitted him. In the application – he states. That he intentionally provided false information in connection with job applications, promotion and career advancement issues. At the same time, the meeting with the then director of OSA BiH Osman Mehmedagić, against whom criminal proceedings were conducted before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the time, was deemed inappropriate.
Debevec has been in the position of president of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2016, and at the beginning of this year, as the only candidate, he was re-elected to this position. On the other hand, Osman Mehmedagić was at the center of the “Diploma” affair several times during his mandate as OSA director.
That, along with alleged money laundering during the purchase of two houses, was the reason for his arrest in 2021. After the affair and arrest, Mehmedagić was included in the American blacklist. The first time in March, and the second time this month. Reasons – corruption and work for the interests of SDA.
