Consistent with its mandate at the Madrid Peace Implementation Conference, the Office of the High Representative has been closely monitoring and offering assistance in fraud and corruption investigations in both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As part of this policy, OHR supports the recent efforts of Federation Vice President Dr. Ejup Ganic to encourage a more aggressive approach in investigating and prosecuting such cases. Changes to the Federation Criminal Procedure Code now call on the Federation and Cantonal Prosecutors to take a more active roll in supervising and coordinating criminal investigations. To encourage compliance with the new law Vice President Ganic called a meeting with the Federation Prosecutor and several Cantonal Prosecutors to determine the status of their cases. OHR supports this initiative.
OHR and IPTF have had a team of experts in Tuzla monitoring the fraud and corruption investigation initiated as a result of allegations made by former Canton Governor Izet Hadzic. OHR and IPTF experts report the Federation and Cantonal Police worked well together and conducted a very thorough and professional investigation despite apparent pressure by certain individuals in political circles to influence and dilute the investigation and prosecution. Federation Financial Police assistance was requested and they are conducting an independent investigation of KDRR.
OHR has thoroughly reviewed the reports prepared by the Cantonal and Federation Police in the Tuzla investigation and agrees with the recommendation made by the Federation Police that charges should be forwarded to the Investigating Judge for the Tuzla Cantonal Court. The OHR also supports the work of the Federation Police and Federation Financial Police in furthering the investigation of organized criminal activity in the Tuzla Canton Government.
OHR is asking for a prompt decision regarding the investigations of the Promdei Banka matter and the Article 26 dispute in the contract between the BiH and the Republic of Croatia. These two investigations involve the loss of millions of Deutsch Marks. OHR is closely monitoring these cases and is offering its assistance and support.