Bosniaks discriminated in BiH judo for decades, Branislav Crnogorac to blame

(Patria) - Karim Hebib has been engaged in a legal battle against the Judo Federation of BiH (JSBiH) for years, and has now decided to speak openly about Branislav Crnogorac.

Hebib held a press conference in early November last year, following a final and enforceable court ruling that found the Judo Federation of BiH guilty of discrimination.

- Branislav Crnogorac is a 'misfortune' for judo in BiH, and after the historic ruling, we continue the fight for right and justice. Everything that is done and has been done in the Judo Federation of BiH is done according to Branislav Crnogorac's plan. He should be exposed and marked for his wrongdoings, and the principle he promotes, 'I am not guilty of anything bad, and I attribute all good things to myself,' is unsustainable.

The false glitter and glorification of Branislav Crnogorac are extremely harmful to the sport. He has systematically worked to weaken Bosniaks in judo for decades. Crnogorac defends himself with 'his' sporting achievements, which, when compared only to the region, reveal the true picture of where we stand (Croatia, Kosovo, Serbia...).

We have been lagging behind for decades. He also highlights the successful organization of tournaments and received awards, but this does not diminish his responsibility for the devastation and all the bad things he has been systematically doing for decades and for which he must be held accountable - says Hebib.

He points out that this is a clear plan that Branislav Crnogorac and his associates have been implementing since the 1980s, and which continues today.

- This is also confirmed by the recent appointments of new individuals to the Judo Federation of BiH, who, through their positions, promote political and ideological views that are directed against the state, which further supports this claim.

The goal of the newly appointed officials is to weaken the sport at the state level and develop it only at the local - entity level. The timing chosen for such actions by Branislav Crnogorac was also chosen in accordance with the political situation.

Crnogorac brings Ognjen Pavlović as the new president of JSBiH, a puppet appointed to the position at a questionable assembly held on May 17, 2023. Through the appointment of Pavlović, Crnogorac has continued his destructive actions within the Judo Federation of BiH, except for organizing competitions and participating in various sporting events.

Branislav Crnogorac has worked quietly behind the scenes for decades, delivering his work to successors who continue it at full capacity, instructed by their mentor. One of the reasons why Crnogorac appointed such a puppet now is the verdict for discrimination and mobbing, for which JSBiH was found liable, and which was represented in court by Branislav Crnogorac himself.

It was an attempt to avoid guilt and responsibility, to transfer authority to the new president, Pavlović. The fact that both the former and the new president have received criminal charges after the verdict, and that a case is being processed in the prosecutor's office due to their actions, speaks to this.

The malicious intentions of Branislav Crnogorac and Ognjen Pavlović are also evident in their statements and failure to implement one of the most important parts of the court ruling - says Hebib.

He adds that with the appointment of Pavlović, new problems begin in the RS Federation - the new convocation, formed upon his arrival, is suspected of large-scale embezzlement of funds related to the organization of tournaments, which has recently been reported in the media and filed with the competent authorities and agencies by sports workers and clubs in RS.

Hebib states that organizing tournaments is the easiest form of activity in sports and the best source of income and potential fraud and money laundering.

- It is concluded that JSBiH has been a hostage of one person and his associates for all previous years, both in terms of discrimination against Bosniaks and in terms of questionable financial activities, which Branislav Crnogorac has 'skillfully' carried out for decades.

Of course, Crnogorac had some support from the Olympic Committee of BiH (OKBiH), whose support he even had in committing discrimination, for which JSBiH was ruled liable by an official document signed by the Secretary General of OKBiH, Said Fazlagić.

OKBiH officials followed his work and provided support on a 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' basis. The Olympic Committee of BiH and sports federations are the main problem of BiH sports.

The best people are leaving OKBiH, aware of the system they are in, so recently one of its most qualified and capable members, a member of the Executive Committee of OKBiH, left OKBiH and resigned, citing his reasons, including moral ones. Mr. Ćatić himself can best speak about the details and reasons - points out Hebib.

OKBiH also deals with sports and issues related to sports, so, for example, a sports financing campaign has recently begun. He emphasizes that this is commendable, but why only now when this problem has been known for decades.

- What is visible from the publications on the official pages of OKBiH are ecological actions, environmental protection, which is nice. Then various seminars, publications, self-promotion, and projects that have little to do with top athletes and top sports.

The Presidency of OKBiH is truly interesting, and one example is the former president and current vice-president of OKBiH, Milanko Mučibabić, who has a biographical history that is contradictory to the position he holds.

He came to this position on the initiative of the current president of OKBiH, as he himself says. Milenko Mučibabić is a person who had his role between 1992-1995, in which his actions, statements, and conduct are documented in official records.

Awards, recognitions, criteria, from athlete of the year to flag bearer, are handled on the principle of 'everything is according to the law, everything is according to procedures and in accordance with decisions,' which is merely a cover for manipulation carried out with official documentation under the direct order of the highest officials of OKBiH - notes Hebib.



He adds that the astonishing fact is that the Secretary General of OKBiH, Said Fazlagić, stated at an official meeting in OKBiH, regarding irregularities related to carrying the flag at EYOF 2023, that he would give a Nobel Prize to anyone who establishes criteria in sports.

- Imagine the absurdity, and why don't we have criteria for various reasons in sports like everyone in the region, proper, quality criteria? Because in our country, these criteria are determined according to needs and interests, and depending on whom.

The connection between Branislav Crnogorac and OKBiH is evident, although they sometimes try to show it differently. OKBiH, or its officials, according to their statements, supposedly do not interfere in the work of the federations, which is an absolute untruth, as seen from the publications on the official pages of OKBiH, meaning OKBiH interferes in the work of federations only where it has its own interest.

Which is not the case with JSBIH, although they are aware of many irregularities, the court ruling on discrimination, and many other things. The case of the resignation of a member of OKBiH, who held a position in the Executive Committee of OKBiH and made a significant contribution to OKBiH, unlike Crnogorac who damages its reputation, is a blatant example. Such conduct is, among other things, one of the reasons why sports in BiH are stagnating - adds Hebib.

He assesses that everything is being done to prevent sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina from succeeding, while the opposite is being presented.

- A quality and objective analysis would certainly show this. Athletes are not the priority, officials are the priority, they are an end in themselves, which is evident from their self-promotion to the point of being disgusting. The successes of some athletes are mentioned minimally or not at all, or only a few are promoted, or those whose hands in the assembly decide on appointments to eternal positions.

The newly elected president of JSBiH, Ognjen Pavlović, came to power precisely with their blessing (OKBiH officials).

Branislav Crnogorac is 'responsible' for the position of Bosniaks in judo and in JSBiH, so, accordingly, we initiated an initiative and submitted it on January 15, 2024, to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, the Ministry of Justice of BiH, OKBiH, and JSBiH, regarding the discrimination of Bosniaks in judo in BiH, all in accordance with the position of the BiH court stated in decision no: U7/11 of 03/30/2012 and in relation to the provisions of Article 2, paragraph 1, in conjunction with Article 3, paragraph 1 of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination.

Currently, in JSBiH, Bosniaks do not hold any executive positions where important decisions are made. Neither the president nor the two vice-presidents of the Federation are Bosniaks. Branislav Crnogorac, in this case too, usurps the rights of Bosniaks and uses the Bosniak position within the Federation.

This practice has been ongoing for decades. The current president of JSBiH is Ognjen Pavlović, the president of JSRs is Dražen Subotić, the president of JSFBiH is Branislav Crnogorac, while the president of JS Herceg-Bosne is from Mostar.

The number of clubs, competitors, coaches, referees, and sports facilities is such that it is evident that Bosniaks have been decimated in this sport due to the moves that Branislav Crnogorac has been making perfidiously for years, as someone who is 'from Sarajevo' has an excellent alibi.

When you compare all three federations operating within JSBiH - JSFBiH, JSRs, and JSHB - that conclusion is self-evident - explains Hebib.

He further states that regarding the competitive aspect, among Bosniaks competing at the highest level, there is one female competitor who is at the end of her sports career and one male competitor who is self-financed and represents BiH.

The reason for this competitor's status is that Branislav Crnogorac does not have the control, influence, ability, or power to win over and use this competitor for his goals, which he has done with all others in the past period.

- What are Bosniaks doing today in JSBiH, in organizing tournaments and other activities? So, they are not in important positions, in top sports, as we mentioned, two (absurd), in tournament organization, they perform auxiliary functions, e.g., coffee maker, waiters, recording fights, driver, judogi control, lower-rank referees, and other minor jobs.

How has Branislav Crnogorac 'helped' Bosniaks for decades? With crumbs! He enrolled them in DIF (FASTO), gave scholarships from budget funds, helped with employment, mainly in the FMUP police, misused his position as an advisor in FMUP for two terms, and engaged politically by changing parties according to his personal interest and dragging those he chose with him.

He never wanted capable people, only compliant or incapable ones, so that he could remain in his position forever and destroy the potential of those people in the future - states Hebib.

He adds that one of the main questions is - what would have happened if Branislav Crnogorac had not been in JSBiH for decades?

- The answer is very simple. It certainly wouldn't have been worse; anyone else holding that position for 40 years would certainly not have done less. What others have achieved in that period in Croatia, Kosovo, Serbia, Slovenia, in the region, shows that BiH is alarmingly behind in terms of results, organization, number of competitors, and all other issues related to judo, except for tournament organization.

Involved in tournament organization, after getting jobs (hotels, transport, etc.), they would personally bring envelopes to federation officials, while Branislav Crnogorac always organized everything from budget funds and similar sources of income.

What and how much has Branislav Crnogorac personally contributed financially to sports? Probably nothing or very little! When they are called out, they try to find their representatives to defend them from accusations, debtors, or those who are not fundamentally aware of the situation, whether they are in the country or abroad, they ask them for support, put a microphone in their hands, ask them to give statements, write comments on social media, call colleagues to support them, show their plaques, certificates, awards, mention medals…

It is mostly for the purpose of their personal protection, their position, and the finances they enjoy. The question arises, how do they then receive support, some recognition, or an award? Simply, they are in positions, they are the official office, people in the country and abroad do not get into the merits of the matter, even though they know privately about whom and what it is about, which they often say privately.

However, officially, it is not their way of acting to openly show what they think or know about individuals, whether it is Branislav Crnogorac or someone else - points out Hebib.

In the end, he states that Branislav Crnogorac and similar individuals steal the time of generations of athletes, sports workers, and sports in general by delaying processes, decisions, and other matters to try to stop time, the time in which they lead the processes.

- They live very well at the expense of the budget, sponsors, and donations, and their long-standing positions, while sports stagnate. After the initiative was submitted, and the most severe court ruling in BiH sports, Branislav Crnogorac and his project have been exposed.

The initiative will certainly have its judicial epilogue, because Bosniaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina will get their rights and what belongs to them. Just as we defeated Branislav Crnogorac and his perfidious organization and plan in court, where they were found liable, we will do everything to ensure that the rights, human rights of some are not violated.

We have initiated the process, which is important, that an individual stood up against a corrupt system led by a corrupt official. Who will benefit from our struggle is less important; what is important is that decades of injustice are stopped, that new generations have better conditions, and that justice prevails - concluded Hebib.