Bosnian Politics: Half a Term in Court, Half Out of Court

When asked by journalists if the case of Bakir Dautbašić, candidate for Minister of Transport and Communications of BiH, could affect appointments in the Council of Ministers, SDA leader said that there is something called the presumption of innocence. In translation: no one is guilty until proven. Claiming that Dautbašić passed the checks, Izetbegović says:

- Dautbašić can be appointed, as well as other candidates for deputy ministers of defense. I would not like to assume or speculate now what will be shown through the work of the Prosecutor's Office, but appointments can be made.

It does not go according to any legal procedure for a person suspected of influencing witnesses, who has been detained, to be nominated for a ministerial position. So far, the practice has been that no one can hold office if they are suspected or if proceedings are being conducted against them. Our political leaders go even further: their candidates can be appointed if an investigation is conducted against them or if they are even in custody.

A Guide Through Political Statements

Izetbegović should know that the presumption of innocence applies only to ordinary people, but for a public figure and someone who wants to hold a ministerial position, the scale is much more sensitive. The morality and the entire credibility of that political figure up to that point are considered. Everything that is not usually scrutinized for ordinary people is looked at.

Politicians regularly shock us with their views. I'm thinking we need a guide through their statements when I see Bakir Izetbegović asking for the minister of transport and communications of a country to come to the position directly from prison.

But we are used to their outbursts. Their power is inseparable from suspicion and legal prosecution. There are few figures in political leadership who do not ride in office parallel to the judiciary, where they become regular clients. Their judicial processing appears as traditional attire, usual national folklore.

They do not need responsibility during appointments, because they do not have it even in performing their duties. Responsibility also implies respect for the law. They show that they do not know the laws of this country, so it is unclear if they know what they should respect.

The peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been dealing with their bright figures, criminal charges, lawsuits, and formal court proceedings for years. A new prison psychology is on the scene. The best moment of our leaders' mandate occurs when courts declare them innocent. What did they do during their rule? Nothing, half of their term they went to court, and half they returned from court.

On Official and Friendly Visits to Courts

Dragan Čović has been tried and is still under investigation. Ivanić also had proceedings against him. Milorad Dodik thinks he is untouchable, even though destroyed banks hang over his head, which is the worst financial crime. This is also the case with many political leaders. Numerous lawsuits are pending in court drawers.

By proposing a man from pre-trial detention for minister, perhaps Izetbegović was carried away by the fact that the biggest punishment for political power holders in BiH so far has been the maximum extension of detention. Therefore, the vocabulary of our criminal law should be changed. Politicians should be sentenced to pre-trial detention, which has been the exclusive judicial practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina so far. Unlike the rest of the citizenry.

The problem is that even in investigation or defense from freedom, they live leisurely and comfortably, continue to plunder budgets and do as they please. Their assets multiply, their accounts fill up, and their relatives get employed with the same intensity. And all this while they occasionally visit courts as if they were going for official and friendly visits to prosecutors and judges.

As if they would offer them bilateral cooperation in a friendly exchange of views. Or at worst, offer them coffee to make them feel at home.