Fugitive Galić enjoys the beach and walks in Makarska, Ćulum's role never clarified

Fugitive Zoran Galić is a free man in the Republic of Croatia. Since he is also a Croatian citizen, the judiciary of that country refused to extradite him to the BiH judicial authorities, regardless of the Interpol red notice. Thus, Galić can regularly be seen on the beaches or walking in Makarska. Patria obtained a photograph of Galić taken on Monday, August 11, during a night walk in Makarska.

On the night of July 8, 2024, he illegally left Posušje and crossed into Croatia, while the police operation "Kings," in which Galić was one of the targets, was carried out on July 9. The Prosecutor's Office suspects Galić of abuse of office or authority and accepting bribes while he was director of the Border Police of BiH. Several people were arrested in the same operation.

At the time of the operation, Galić held the position of deputy director of SIPA, and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH alleged that Galić had information that he would be arrested. To this day, it has not been revealed who gave Galić information about the operation, which was conducted by members of the RS Ministry of Interior and SIPA.

What is interesting in Galić's case is now repeating in the case of Darko Ćulum. The Independent Board of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH never initiated disciplinary proceedings against Galić, and the Council of Ministers of BiH relieved him of his position as deputy director of SIPA at his own request, submitted by his legal team. In the request, Galić stated that he sought early dismissal due to meeting the conditions for retirement, and the Council of Ministers of BiH relieved him at a session in October 2024. The position of deputy director of SIPA has never been filled.

On the other hand, SIPA director Darko Ćulum, in March 2025, following a political order from Milorad Dodik and the top of the RS, and after the adoption of unconstitutional laws in the National Assembly of the RS banning the work of the Court, Prosecutor's Office, HJPC, and SIPA in the RS, left this state agency and moved to the RS Ministry of Interior.

Ćulum came to the SIPA headquarters two or three times, and the Council of Ministers of BiH did not relieve him of his duties even though he submitted his resignation. He used this as an argument and on July 9 informed the Council of Ministers of BiH, the Independent Board of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, and the Deputy Minister of Security of BiH, Ivica Bošnjak, that he was withdrawing his resignation and returning to the position of SIPA director.

On July 14, Ćulum walked into the SIPA premises, and according to information from Patria, after returning, he refused the participation of SIPA members in a planned international operation, thereby continuing to undermine this police agency.

A criminal complaint was filed against Ćulum with the Prosecutor's Office of BiH for several criminal offenses, due to his abandonment of the position of SIPA director. Also, Patria requested information from the Prosecutor's Office of BiH on whether Ćulum is also one of the suspects for the attack on the constitutional order of BiH, but we are still waiting for a response.

The Independent Board of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH has shown its full political dependence, so no disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Ćulum, nor has it taken a stance on his return to SIPA. A new attempt will be made on August 25.

Darko Ćulum's regular mandate expired in July 2024. Although a competition procedure was conducted, and Ćulum was again on the ranking list, the Council of Ministers of BiH did not appoint a new director. The law stipulates that the previous director remains until a new one is appointed, but this situation with Ćulum's departure and illegal return has revealed all the shortcomings of the law on SIPA, as well as appointments under the jurisdiction of the Council of Ministers of BiH and the complicated procedures for dismissal or early removal.