Chief Cantonal Prosecutor Meliha Dugalija and Police Commissioner Fatmir Hajdarevic addressed the public after two police officers were arrested over the weekend on suspicion of sexually exploiting underage girls.
One of the two arrested police officers was released after questioning and collecting evidence because, as stated, “there are no grounds for suspicion that he participated in incriminating acts.” The other police officer, Amar Turcalo, was handed over to the jurisdiction of the Canton Sarajevo (CS) Prosecutor’s Office and is suspected of committing the criminal offense of sexual abuse of a minor.
This case was uncovered after an official from a social welfare institution in CS reported to the police knowledge of a criminal act. The prosecutor did not wish to reveal which social institution it was, as she believes that could lead to the disclosure of the identity of the minors.
“On November 1st, at 11:25 p.m., an official from a social welfare institution in the CS area came to the police administration’s official premises and stated that they had learned that a minor ward had inappropriate contact with adult men, and that in one part of this information, police officers were also mentioned,” said Police Commissioner Hajdarevic.
He also emphasized that this was not an organized action and that this case is not connected to the sexual exploitation of minors in Tuzla. This was confirmed by Chief Prosecutor Dugalija.
“This is not an organized action, nor have coercion and abuse been established. It was just an individual who will be held accountable for his actions under the laws of this country,” said Hajdarevic.
He emphasized that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against both police officers, regardless of the fact that one of them has been released, and that both have been suspended until the conclusion of the disciplinary procedure.
“The other police officer will be subject to internal police procedures. Both are suspended until the conclusion of the disciplinary procedure… He had inappropriate contact with a minor, in which no criminal offense was established, but there is suspicion of disciplinary responsibility, so he will not return to work until the facts are determined,” said Hajdarevic.
Dugalija emphasized that publishing information about minors is a criminal offense and that, because of that, they cannot inform the public in detail about this case.
Hajdarevic, answering journalists’ questions, emphasized that this was not a failure in police work and that they reacted quickly upon learning about it, but that it was an isolated case of a police officer who will be appropriately punished. He also said earlier that it was a sexual act from October of this year, which happened once.
“Here, the judicial and police system demonstrated efficiency in action. Two police officers were treated as suspects and were promptly deprived of liberty for the purpose of proving criminal offenses,” said the police commissioner.
Dugalija also responded to a question on whether the statements of Minister of Police Admir Katica and Prime Minister Nihad Uk constituted interference in the work of the judiciary and police, given that they commented on the investigation and case.
“The authorities of the CS Prosecutor’s Office are clear. The Criminal Procedure Code clearly prescribes who conducts investigations and who is responsible for identifying perpetrators of criminal acts. As the chief prosecutor, I said that I do not comment on statements by politicians and other officials when it comes to the work of the CSProsecutor’s Office. We have official statements, and I think it is clearly prescribed by law who conducts investigations and who can provide answers regarding cases under the jurisdiction of the prosecutor’s office,” said the chief cantonal prosecutor, Klix.ba writes.
