The State Court has rejected the requests for postponement of the prison sentences of Fahrudin Solak and Fikret Hodzic, who were legally convicted for abuses in the procurement of respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic, while a decision on Fadil Novalic’s request is still pending.
The State Court confirmed that Solak’s and Hodzic’s requests had been rejected and that there is a right of appeal within three days. They also added that an appeal postpones the execution of the sentence.
They also confirmed that Novalic had submitted a request for postponement of the sentence execution.
“The Court has received a request from the lawyer of the convicted Fadil Novalic for a postponement of the commencement of the prison sentence. A decision has not yet been made,” the Court’s response states.
It was reported four days ago that Solak and Hodzic had submitted requests for postponement of sentence execution.
Solak was relieved of his duties as the director of the Federal Administration for Civil Protection yesterday, following an emergency session of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) held by telephone, effective January 26th.
The Appellate Panel of the Court of BiH confirmed the verdict sentencing former Prime Minister Novalic, suspended director of the Federal Administration for Civil Protection Solak, and the owner of the company “F.H. Srebrena Malina” Hodzic to a total of 15 years in prison for abuses in the procurement of respirators worth 10.5 million BAM during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Novalic was sentenced to four years in prison, Solak to a single sentence of six years, and Hodzic to five years in prison.
The legal entity “Srebrena Malina” was found liable for disposing of unlawfully acquired property and was fined 200.000 BAM, which must be paid within 60 days from the date of the ruling.
By the same decision, former Federal Finance Minister Jelka Milicevic was acquitted of charges of malpractice in office, Detektor reports.
photo: BIRN
E.Dz.
