06/08/2009 OHR

High Representative Removes Two Police Officials for Anti-Dayton activities

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The High Representative today issued a decision to remove two police officers for anti-Dayton activities including threats to internationally protected persons. Mr Himzo Đonko is removed from his position as the Police Commissioner of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and Mr Radislav Jovičić from his current position in the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr Himzo Đonko instructed others to threaten physical harm to internationally protected persons including members of the staff of the Office of the High Representative in an effort to obstruct an enquiry into his abuse of office. Mr Radislav Jovičić, working outside the legal chain of command within SIPA, has used SIPA personnel and resources to conduct surveillance of International officials, the Office of the High Representative and its staff.

In March, the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board condemned actions and statements by BiH actors that pose a threat to OHR staff, challenge the authority of the High Representative and the PIC Steering Board.

With the foregoing in mind, and all normal remedies through local means having been exhausted, the High Representative concluded that Mr Himzo Đonko and Mr Radislav Jovičić have by their actions towards internationally protected persons directly threatened the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace and obstructed efforts to entrench the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and had therefore to be removed.