BiH Ambassador in Ankara Seeks Sanctions Against Advisor for Contacting Journalists from BiH During Coup

Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Turkey Damir Džanko has requested disciplinary proceedings against his advisor Alija Muminović, because Muminović gave a statement to the Patria news agency without his consent on the night when a part of the military in Turkey attempted to carry out a military coup and overthrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from power, NAP has learned.

The drama in Ankara and several other cities in Turkey began to unfold late in the evening on July 15. World media broadcast images of the military and tanks on the streets of Turkey. It was an attempted military coup. Initial reports spoke of dozens dead and wounded.

During that time, thousands of citizens from BiH were staying in Turkey. Most of them were visiting the country as tourists. Also, hundreds of students from BiH are studying in Turkey, and a large number of our citizens work in this country.

Ambassador Džanko was unavailable to the media and to frightened families. His mobile phone was turned off. The only contact with the BiH Embassy in Ankara on that dramatic night was the ambassador's first advisor Alija Muminović, who spoke with several journalists from Sarajevo and with frightened parents whose children are studying in Turkey... He was practically the only official link with Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is universal agreement that enabled Muminović to make himself available to citizens.

Ambassador Džanko assessed that Muminović should not have contacted journalists and citizens without his consent.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Igor Crnadak ordered the initiation of an internal investigation regarding this case. Crnadak requested an examination of the circumstances under which Muminović communicated with citizens and journalists from BiH, as well as where Ambassador Džanko was at that time, i.e., whether he was even in Turkey.

Muminović did not wish to comment on this case. He sought protection with the help of his lawyer, Patria writes.