Bags Director: 2.5 Million KM Paid to Austrians by the Sarajevo Canton Government, Not Hrenovica

The money in the amount of around 2.5 million KM on behalf of the Austrian company „Bags Holding“ was paid by the Government of Sarajevo Canton, not by Emir Hrenovica or the Ministry of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, which he heads, said Amir Pašalić, director of the state-owned company „Bags-Energotehnika“, which heats apartments and public buildings in the Sarajevo municipality of Vogošća, for the Patria agency.

Patria reported that the Ministry of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, headed by Hrenovica, paid the Austrian company „Bags Holding“ around 2.5 million KM, after which Sarajevo Canton again became the majority owner of the state-owned company „Bags-Energotehnika“ from Vogošća. However, Pašalić explains that the money was paid to the Austrian company by the Government of Sarajevo Canton, not by its Ministry of Economy.

„Bags-Energotehnika“ has been in serious financial trouble for some time. They have no money to purchase energy sources, which is why the radiators in Vogošća are almost cold.

„Bags Holding“ is a company registered in Vienna, allegedly backed by Arabs. They bought „Bags-Energotehniku“ from Vogošća in 2002. However, due to unfulfilled obligations towards „Bags-Energotehnici“, Sarajevo Canton initiated the termination of the contract with them. A court decision ordered that „Bags Holdingu“ be paid around 2.5 million KM, which they allegedly invested in the company, after which Sarajevo Canton again became the majority owner of this company, NAP writes.

Pašalić explained that Sarajevo Canton paid the money to „Bags Holdingu“ based on a court decision, after which the Canton received nearly 70 percent of the shares, and the mortgage on the property of „Bags-Energotehnike“ was also lifted. The entire process was conducted by representatives of Sarajevo Canton and representatives of „Bags Holdinga“, not Emir Hrenovica, NAP writes.