Imam Mahić not questioned at police station, conversation held in Kozarac

(Patria) - Amir ef. Mahić, chief imam of the Islamic Community Council Prijedor, was supposed to report to the Kozarac Police Station this morning at 8 AM to be questioned as a suspect for the criminal offense of inciting violence and hatred.

Several media crews were present in front of the police station, but they did not record efendija Mahić entering the police building.

Members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) of Republika Srpska conducted a conversation with the chief imam of the Islamic Community Council (MIZ) Kozarac, hafiz Amir-ef. Mahić, regarding the controversial parts of the sermon he delivered on January 27th. However, the conversation did not take place at the Prijedor police premises as announced, but in Kozarac, confirmed Hayat Television journalist Emerin Ahmetašević. 

The conversation was held in the presence of a lawyer engaged by the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the director of the Directorate for Legal and Administrative Affairs of the Islamic Community's Riyaset, Mensur Karađa.

Since this morning, ef. Mahić has also been accompanied by his colleagues, representatives of the Ilmiyya Association of the Islamic Community. 

A large number of community members gathered in Kozarac to support efendija Mahić. 

The invitation for questioning followed ef. Mahić's sermon in the mosque in Kozarac on January 27th, in which he spoke about Saint Sava. Due to reactions from Republika Srpska, the police of this entity decided to summon efendija Mahić for questioning. 

In his next sermon, Mahić clearly stated that he apologizes if he offended anyone, and he was supported by the Islamic Community in BiH. During the previous weekend, the head of the Islamic Community in BiH, Husein ef. Kavazović, also visited him and gave him his support.