Fugitive Faruk Balijagić enjoys the beaches of Opatija

Faruk Balijagić, a lawyer charged with incitement to commit criminal acts, including murder, left for Croatia back in April this year after the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo lifted his detention in early January 2016 and no restraining measures were imposed. Given that Balijagić is also a Croatian citizen, he left Bosnia and Herzegovina under the pretext of being in serious health condition, and is currently enjoying himself in Opatija, reports the Patria news agency.

After Balijagić left Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the proposal of the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office, the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo issued a warrant for Balijagić, after which this defendant was arrested in Rijeka. After giving a statement, he was released, but restraining measures were imposed – mandatory weekly reporting to the Opatija Police Station and a ban on leaving his residence in Opatija. Neither the restraining measures nor the „serious“ health condition prevented Balijagić from giving interviews and appearing in the media, accusing the Sarajevo judiciary of corruption.

Balijagić also announced in his media appearances that he would seek a separation of proceedings from his son Ado Balijagić, with whom he was arrested on September 15 last year, and the indictment against them was confirmed on December 9, 2015. A decision on the separation of proceedings has not yet been made.

Meanwhile, Faruk Balijagić is enjoying the beaches in Rijeka and can be seen in the company of his wife. Balijagić owns several properties in Croatia.

The Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against Balijagić on the grounds of reasonable suspicion that they, as co-perpetrators, committed the criminal offense of incitement to murder, a serious criminal offense against the safety of people and property, and the criminal offense of robbery.