While being built illegally: Nikšić's government approved 1.2 million KM for the completion of the Croatian National Theatre building

The Government of the Federation of BiH, led by Nermin Nikšić, has approved 1.2 million marks for the completion of the Croatian National Theatre, a building that is being illegally constructed on Waqf land in Mostar. The decision was made at a session of the Government of the Federation of BiH held on May 12, 2025.

“This decision determines the allocation of funds established in the Budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025 – ‘Capital transfers to other levels of government and funds – Construction, adaptation, and reconstruction of cultural institutions’, in the amount of 10,000,000.00 KM, based on the Decision on determining the criteria and allocation of part of the funds established in the Budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2025 to the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports from the economic code ‘Capital transfers to other levels of government and funds – Construction, adaptation, and reconstruction of cultural institutions’”, it is stated in the latest issue of the Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH.

On the list of beneficiaries who have been allocated funds, under number 39, it is stated that, at the request of the City of Mostar, 1.2 million marks have been approved from the Budget of the Federation of BiH for the completion of the construction of the HNK in Mostar – Phase II.

The Government of the FBiH decided to approve these funds despite the fact that the inspection found that the City of Mostar is building the HNK without the necessary documentation, i.e., illegally.

Based on the findings of cantonal inspector Haris Spahić (number: 01-19-234/25), which was officially sent to the Mayor of Mostar, Mario Kordić, it was determined that the city inspection of the City of Mostar is inadequately and illegally carrying out inspection supervision over the construction of the HNK building.

Inspector Spahić ordered the mayor to immediately rectify the identified deficiencies.

The explanation of the inspection finding clearly states that after the report from the NGO “Mostarski krug”, an inspection was carried out at the construction site and it was determined that the contractor does not possess the required project documentation nor the legally mandated elaboration of boundary marking. Although the inspector requested that the documentation be submitted later, the contractor and the investor did not do so.

In his letter, the inspector states:

“After I did not receive the documentation, I carried out another inspection and determined that the contractor still does not have the legally prescribed documentation, which is why, according to current laws, the construction site must be closed.”

Additionally, representatives of the contractor admitted to the inspector that they do not have the necessary documentation and that the designer – the company Ecoplan d.o.o. Mostar – is providing them with drawings electronically, which is not in accordance with the law and raises serious doubts about the possibility of manipulating original and certified project documentation.

The Islamic Community of BiH claims that the HNK is being built on Waqf land, i.e., on the site of the former Lakišić harem. Last year, the Mufti's Office of Mostar announced a lawsuit at the Court in Strasbourg, by which it will “seek protection of rights regarding the sacred space – the Lakišić harem site” and called on the authorities led by Mayor Mario Kordić to clarify “on the basis of which legal norms they are ignoring the existence of the Islamic Community and Muslims in Mostar”.

The realization of the HNK project began in 1996, based on documents issued by the para-state entity Croatian Community of Herceg-Bosna. The OHR has warned HDZ cadres in the city authorities several times since then, demanding that they stop construction. At the same time, the City of Mostar does not allow the Islamic Community to build the Mevlana center on that site.

The current High Representative, Christian Schmidt, stated in his recent report to the UN that the Council for Religious Affairs and the Council for Administrative Affairs have supported the construction of the Mevlana center and called on the city administration to respect the legal requirements of the Islamic Community, as well as for international intervention to prevent the marginalization of Bosniaks.

Schmidt states that the Mufti's Office of Mostar launched the Fund for the Construction of the Mevlana Center in January of this year, and that legal and legislative controversies have arisen, with HDZ and HRS emphasizing the need to adopt the necessary plans while ensuring sufficient votes in the City Council (24 out of 35 votes).

“In the meantime, the construction of the Croatian National Theatre within the Central Zone in Mostar continues with strong financial support from the Republic of Croatia,” the report states, adding that Mayor Mario Kordić cites legal barriers as an obstacle to the construction of Mevlana.

“The Mufti's Office of Mostar rejected his claims, accusing the city authorities of deliberately obstructing the projects of the Islamic Community,” Schmidt stated.

Regardless of all this, the Government of the Federation decided on May 12 to approve 1.2 million marks for the HNK. Officials of the Government of the Republic of Croatia also announce additional support.

“Certainly, the Croatian National Theatre is a strategic project for Croats in BiH. In this regard, the construction of the new building continues, for which support of 2 million euros has been secured, while an additional 265 thousand euros have already been approved for the regular operation of the theater. Everything else, we don't know exactly what it is about. If others have any objections, that can be a matter for the competent institutions. However, the Croatian National Theatre is a strategic project here, and the Government of the Republic of Croatia allocated these funds based on the proposal and request of the Croatian National Assembly, i.e., the legitimate representatives of the Croatian people in BiH,” said Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman in Mostar on Monday.