Croatian Embassy: We respect BiH laws, and the contract with Stanić for Feroelektro premises is not disputed

Only after the entry of director Senad Smajić and Feroelektro employees into the company's premises and an inspection of the available documentation did the full extent of the damage caused by the contracts that Stanić Invest signed with tenants of Feroelektro's premises after privatization become apparent, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

One of these contracts was signed with the Embassy and Consulate of the Republic of Croatia. According to the contract signed for an indefinite period, they pay 16 KM per square meter in the very center of Sarajevo on Maršala Tita Street, and they use 800 square meters of space.

On a monthly basis, this amounts to 12,800 KM, which is still being paid into the account of one of Stanić's companies, and not to Feroelektro, whose accounts are blocked.

The real rental price per square meter at this location would be between 26 and 30 KM. The contract was signed two years ago, and according to its provisions, the Embassy has a pre-emptive right to purchase if the building were to be put on the market.

The Croatian Embassy told the Patria agency that they respect the laws of BiH, but they did not clarify or respond to the question of why they entered into a deal with Stanić Invest, given the court dispute.

When asked if they knew that the premises they are renting are owned by Feroelektro, and whether they will pay the monthly installments of 12,800 KM to this company's account, not to Stanić's, they said:

- The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Bosnia and Herzegovina has concluded a lease agreement for business premises with the company Feroelektro and, in accordance with its contractual obligations, pays the corresponding rent, while respecting all legal regulations of the host country - states the response from the Croatian Embassy to Patria.

As Patria learns, director Senad Smajić and Feroelektro employees, along with their lawyers, will file criminal charges against Stanić Invest and others for abuse of position and authority.

It is interesting that even after the verdict of the Municipal Court in August 2014 on the termination of the privatization agreement for Feroelektro, which was confirmed by the Cantonal Court in December 2014, the Stanić family did not give up and filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of the Federation of BiH, which rejected Stanić's request for a review of the verdict, but that is not the end of it. The Stanić family will appeal to the Appellate Division of the Court of BiH.

- We do not want to believe that the verdict of the Municipal, Cantonal, and Supreme Courts of the Federation of BiH will be overturned. Because what kind of legal system are we talking about then - they say from Feroelektro.

Only in April 2016 did the Assembly dismiss Goran Stanić and the Supervisory Board, and Smajić was registered as director, and the Government of the Federation of BiH as the owner of the company. However, they found a legal mess, accumulated debts, and blocked accounts.