The 'Asim' Affair: Other names mentioned by Sarajlić in audio recording are subject of investigation

SARAJevo, (Patria) – The Sarajevo Canton Police Administration, by order of the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office, is actively working on the case of Asim Sarajlić and others who are actors in the audio recording published at the end of February about rigging votes for the head of the SDA Sarajevo Cantonal Board. 

Sarajlić mentions numerous names in the recording, two candidates for ministers in the KS Government who have since withdrawn, employment, voting for the mayor, SDA President Bakir Izetbegović, OSA Director Osman Mehmedagić, and numerous other names, putting them in a negative context.

Following the publication of the recording, Sarajlić resigned from his party positions (SDA Vice-President and Head of the Personnel Commission) under public pressure and to somewhat absolve the SDA leadership. In a statement to the media, he left open the possibility that he would no longer be a state delegate. 

A procedure is already underway against Sarajlić within the framework of the "Bosna" case, in which he is accused of receiving a reward or other form of benefit for trading influence in connection with employment in public companies.

The BH Bloc, consisting of SDP BiH and Our Party, and their presidents Nermin Nikšić and Predrag Kojović, filed a criminal complaint against Asim Sarajlić, Sabahudin Delalić, and Muhamed Šehović on March 13. The BH Bloc calls on the KS Prosecutor's Office to approach the case with maximum seriousness.

Although Semir Efendić, the mayor of Novi Grad municipality, who was defeated by Fikret Prevljak and who publicly released the audio recording, filed a complaint regarding the entire electoral process for the head of the SDA Sarajevo Cantonal Board, the SDA has not yet commented on this case. However, in his first statement, the SDA president stated that the electoral process was not disputed for him. Just two days later, a new Personnel Commission was elected, headed by Sedin Kahriman, director of BH Telecom and Sarajlić's closest friend. 

After several days, Izetbegović corrected his stance, stating that a commission within the SDA, consisting of members of the SDA Ethics Committee, is investigating all actors of the affair. However, he maintained his opinion that the integrity of the election of the head of the SDA Sarajevo Cantonal Board was not compromised. Incidentally, President Izetbegović's wife, Sebija Izetbegović, was elected Vice-President of both the SDA Sarajevo Cantonal Board and the SDA Sarajevo Personnel Commission.

The SDA Central Election Commission has not yet made a decision on Semir Efendić's complaint.