Bankers Charged with Manipulating Exchange Rate List, Obtaining Over One Million KM for Themselves

(Patria) - The Cantonal Court in Sarajevo has confirmed the indictment of the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office against Hamza Musić, Muamer Čengić, and Emir Hašimbegović for the criminal offense of associating for the purpose of committing criminal offenses related to the criminal offenses of abuse of position or authority and money laundering.

The accused were entrusted with the tasks of preparing, creating, and controlling the daily exchange rate list for Sberbank BH Sarajevo within the Global Markets department, the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office announced.

- Hamza Musić is charged as the organizer of the group, and Muamer Čengić and Emir Hašimbegović as its members, with manipulating the exchange rate list by purchasing foreign currencies and then entering incorrect parities, i.e., changing the exchange rate, and conducting electronic sales of previously purchased currencies. Through the illegal purchase and sale of foreign currencies, they damaged Sberbank BH and obtained benefits for themselves totaling 1,082,361.40 KM. Specifically, Hamza Musić obtained 416,418.65 KM, Emir Hašimbegović 364,785.82 KM, and Muamer Čengić 301,156.94 KM. To conceal and cover up the origin and movement of money derived from the illegal conversion of foreign currencies, they further disposed of it - transferring it from one account to another, using the money to purchase cars, real estate, and foreign currencies, settling - paying off personal obligations on payment and credit cards, and withdrawing cash from accounts - the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office states.

The court has been proposed that the accused compensate for the damage caused in the total amount of 1,082,361.40 KM, specifically to the injured parties ASA Banka Sarajevo, as the legal successor of Sberbank BH, in the amount of 625,458.04 KM, and to Triglav osiguranje as the recourse creditor, in the amount of 456,903.36 KM. For the main trial, the prosecuting attorney has proposed that the court hear 14 witnesses, an economic expert, and present more than 500 pieces of material evidence.