09/20/2000 OHR Sarajevo

High Representative welcomes preliminary results in Leutar investigation

The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, warmly welcomes the preliminary results in the investigation into the murder of the late Federation Deputy Minister of the Interior, Jozo Leutar.

His Office knew Mr Leutar as a committed and courageous official who worked on combating corruption and advancing the cause of justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since the cowardly car bomb attack in March 1999, the OHR has demanded that the local authorities take aggressive measures to identify, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of this appalling crime.

The High Representative commends the work of the multi-ethnic judicial team and the members of the Federation Ministry of the Interior who have helped identify and detain a number of suspects over the last few weeks. He is very grateful for the co-operation of the Government of Croatia, the support and guidance provided by UNMIBH/IPTF, the security backup from SFOR during the detentions, and the valuable clues given by citizens through the confidential UN IPTF Hotline.

UNMIBH/IPTF will continue to monitor and help with the investigation, and will also monitor the court proceedings in conjunction with other international organisations. The OHR stands ready to assist and take measures against those who have obstructed the investigation or may interfere with the court proceedings.

Bosnia and Herzegovina must become a place governed by law. Solving the Leutar case is of utmost importance to attaining this goal.