Ćulum faces Zubac's fate: Political appointees in key security decisions, criminal charges for SIPA director?

By: Amina Čorbo-Zećo

The State Investigation and Protection Agency SIPA - the police agency that is the only one at the state level with arrest powers, has been led by Serbs since its inception. This is not enough for Milorad Dodik, so today he also complains about regional offices and their coverage. For example, he dislikes that the Tuzla regional office covers Bijeljina, Mostar Trebinje, and Banja Luka Bihać.

A cat asking for a calf's head. That is clear. And not only have Serbs led SIPA, but they were also appointees loyal to SNSD, with the exception of Perica Stanić (SDS).

Sredoje Nović was the first director of this agency, and later it would be led by Mirko Lujić, Goran Zubac, and Darko Ćulum. All SNSD appointees.

Particular damage was done to SIPA during Zubac's tenure, and the fight for the Special Unit lasted almost Zubac's entire mandate, which he tried to destroy in every way, especially by removing every capable Bosniak from this unit based on their position. Politics did not do much then, but the appointees worked hard from within to preserve what could be preserved.


Ultimately, Goran Zubac, former director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SIPA), was convicted of dereliction of duty because on February 7, 2014, he refused to provide assistance to the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH when, during violent protests in Sarajevo, the buildings of the government and the Presidency of BiH were set on fire.
The Court of BiH, with this first-instance verdict, determined, based on the factual situation and evidence, that Zubac acted negligently, knowingly violating the laws of BiH when he refused to provide assistance to the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies (DKPT).
The Court stated at the time that the defense's claims that there was no agreement on mutual assistance between police bodies were insufficient because at the moment when the buildings of the Presidency of BiH, the BiH Archives, and the Constitutional Court of BiH were burning, it was more important for the Special Unit led by Zubac to assist the Directorate, as this was also established by law.
Furthermore, the defense claimed that the SIPA unit was not trained to maintain public order. However, the Court of BiH also rejected these defense claims, stating that it was proven in the main hearing that part of the unit was ready to act on Zubac's order if the unrest spread to the area around the US Embassy building.

What is the difference now between Darko Ćulum and Zubac? Is Ćulum also guilty of dereliction of duty? And who will file a criminal complaint against him? Finally, it has not been explained how they refused assistance to the Court Police, other than that there are security risks.

Darko Ćulum

And what arrest exists without security risks? It is gratifying, however, that police officers of the Unit have so far apprehended more than 700 individuals suspected of the most serious criminal offenses, without ever using excessive force.

SIPA often boasts about its efficiency in performing tasks, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Otherwise, the Special Support Unit provides necessary assistance to other organizational units of the Agency, providing additional police tactics, equipment, and personnel when enhanced security measures are needed.

The Unit performs the most demanding and complex tactical and operational-technical police actions, applying police powers in high-risk situations when special skills, training, and equipment are necessary. It is intended for resolving all forms of hostage situations and provides specialized support in situations where the use of service dogs is necessary. In accordance with the law, it establishes necessary internal and external cooperation with other law enforcement agencies and performs other tasks in accordance with the law. The aforementioned activities are carried out with the approval of the Agency's director.

In the end, therefore, the story is about the SNSD appointee Darko Ćulum, who must not be exempted from responsibility. Because there is a big difference between a political decision and a security decision not to proceed with the arrest or prosecution of Dodik.
Ultimately, political influence on security and judicial institutions to prevent the arrest or prosecution of Dodik harms the broader social context and the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As things stand, we are living through a political decision today, which at this moment suits only Milorad Dodik, who desires dialogue. Probably, in the end, it also means the withdrawal of the controversial laws for the continuation of the policy of madness in Bosnia and Herzegovina!