Lawyer Nožica: The indictment against Mektić is fabricated

SARAJevo, (Patria) - The hearing on the proposed prohibition measures in the case of Dragan Mektić and others, whom the Prosecutor's Office accuses of abuse of office and corruption, has concluded, and the defense lawyers have fully opposed the proposed measures, which included a ban on approaching witnesses within 100 meters, telephone contact, and a ban on public media advertising about the case.

Senka Nožica, Dragan Mektić's lawyer, noted, and the Court itself observed, that the measure was not individualized and it was not explained why such measures were being sought. However, she also stated, for the first time in her career, that it was a "fabricated and politically motivated indictment because Mektić, while he was minister, criticized the work of the BiH Prosecutor's Office and the judiciary."

"He had to be indicted and brought to his knees. The others are collateral damage. If these are EU funds, then surely the EU controls the spending of these funds. There is no evidence that Dragan Mektić committed a criminal offense, they did not explain the prohibition measures in a single sentence. The most important thing is to silence Mektić. Shouldn't all media, if it's a statesman, see how our Prosecutor's Office works, if everything is in order?" Nožica asked.

Both she and her client particularly addressed the fact that the funds in question are donor funds, not budgetary funds as stated in the indictment.

"If I have to explain elementary things, then I am in serious trouble. BiH's budget is 900 million, adopted by the Budget Law and the Execution Law. Not a single mark from outside can be paid into the treasury. Donor funds go to a separate account, and the donor and their audit monitor the spending of funds. This for which the Prosecutor's Office is charging me has received a positive audit report, and it is evident that this is a fabricated indictment," Mektić said after the hearing.

Pre-trial judge Dalida Burzić noted that the Court will make a decision on the measures but that they do not have a prescribed deadline for making a decision.

She instructed prosecutor Vedrana Mijović to provide the Prosecutor's Office with all evidence to the defense by the next hearing, when the plea will be entered.

The defense also pointed out the problem that they have not yet filed objections to the indictment, nor have they been considered, and today's hearing seems to prejudge decisions on objections, as prohibition measures are being discussed before decisions on objections.

In addition to Mektić, Samir Agić, Edin Garaplija, and Igor Golijanin are also indicted.

Adna Dobojlić, Edin Garaplija's lawyer, said that the presumption of innocence is being violated. She said that her client was first called as a witness and was later indicted.

"Garaplija was denied the right to inspect evidence. We were given photocopies that are not certified. What does a ban on communication with the media mean? The law does not address this, because the media are not people. As for the disputed room in the Ministry of Security of BiH, it was given to an association, not to Garaplija," she said.

Mirela Kandić, Golijanin's lawyer, explained that employment in the Ministry of Security of BiH is carried out by the Civil Service Agency of BiH based on public competition and criteria, not by her client.

Lawyer Vasvija Vidović, who represents Agić, said that the BiH Prosecutor's Office has not provided arguments for the prohibition measures.

Prosecutor Mijović assessed all of this as dramatic statements, such as those about a fabricated process.

Prosecutor Mijović said that the Prosecutor's Office will not request that the public be excluded from this process because it is also in their interest for the public to be involved.