The Head of the OSCE Mission Robert Barry and the High Representative Carlos Westendorp strongly condemn yesterday’s incident in Zvornik in which the Bosniak vice-president of the executive board of the municipality, Izet Nakicevic, was verbally and physically attacked in his office, with the result that he had to leave the town.
Initial reports suggest that three unidentified men yesterday morning entered the office of Izet Nakicevic in the municipality building. They reportedly insulted and threatened Nakicevic, and slapped and kicked him. When Nakicevic managed to escape, he sought help from OSCE officials and was escorted to Tuzla.
The High Representative and Ambassador Barry consider it scandalous that the attack could take place in a government building. The local authorities had obviously failed to provide the necessary security, though Nakicevic, who since his appointment had been working daily in the municipal office, was harassed before and clearly needed protection.
The OSCE and OHR demand that the local police in Zvornik start performing their duties related to public security professionally, and immediately investigate the incident so the three perpetrators be identified, charged and prosecuted swiftly. They also expect the governing authorities to take all necessary steps to allow their colleague to return to work in a secure environment.