Will the FBiH Banking Agency and "Hypo Bank" be set on fire?

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton has information indicating that groups of young people are being organized in certain parts of the city, planning to use the gathering of citizens on February 22nd for violent protests, directed towards the buildings of cantonal and state institutions, as well as police officers who will be securing the protest gathering, it was announced from the MUP KS.

As NAP unofficially learns, the buildings of the FBiH Banking Agency and "Hypo Bank" could be targeted by hooligans on Monday, when protests by holders of loans in Swiss francs are announced. Also, as we unofficially learn, "Hypo Bank" is monitoring the situation and will act accordingly. Zlatko Barš, director of the Banking Agency, confirmed for NAP that they have requested adequate protection for the agency's employees and their property from police officials.

The MUP KS also states that information from the field indicates that the mentioned groups are preparing items and means that they will use during violent protests.

- Taking the above into account, we appeal to all participants of protest gatherings to refrain from violence, and to identify any rioters and, in cooperation with the police, remove such rioters from the gathering, emphasizing that police officers will not tolerate violent behavior, endangering the health of citizens and police, as well as property destruction – say the MUP KS.

The rest of the announcement states that considering the fact that protest gatherings have been held daily in the central part of the city since 06.02.2014, and that they will most likely continue in the future, and that on February 6th and 7th, 2014, violent individuals and groups of young people physically attacked police officers, the buildings of the Government of Sarajevo Canton and the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina with stones, "Molotov cocktails" and pyrotechnic devices, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton appeals to citizens:

- respecting and supporting the legitimate and legal right of citizens to peaceful gatherings and expression of their views on the situation in society, the Ministry will ensure such gatherings within its jurisdiction,

- considering the constitutional and legal provisions that state that the main task of the police is the protection of the constitutional order, personal and property security of citizens, the Police Directorate will take all measures to secure public and protest gatherings and enable citizens to express their views, but will also not tolerate violent behavior, endangering the health of citizens and police, as well as property destruction.

Past experiences show that the majority of citizens participating in protests respect the law and express their views peacefully. However, smaller groups and irresponsible individuals abuse these gatherings to vent their frustrations, attacking police officers and other citizens, destroying property.