FUP: Radio Free Europe journalists ignored police orders

Ahead of the peaceful gathering of journalists in front of the FUP building scheduled for 2 PM, the police agency issued a press release regarding complaints about the conduct of police officers towards a journalist and cameraman from Radio Free Europe, reports Patria News Agency. 

Given the complaints received concerning the conduct and work of police officers of the Federal Police Administration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 21.09.2017, during the enhanced security of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH building, located at Hamdije Kreševljakovića Street number 3, Centar Municipality - Sarajevo, the Professional Standards Unit of the Federal Police Administration, upon the order of the Director of the Federal Police Administration Dragan Lukač, conducted an internal investigation regarding the matter, and within it determined the following:

- On 21.09.2017, the Federal Police Administration, as the competent police authority, provided enhanced security for the Parliament of the Federation of BiH building, due to the session of the House of Peoples of the Parliament of FBiH, and in relation to an unannounced protest gathering of demobilized fighters in front of the Parliament of FBiH. The aforementioned event was covered by about 35 journalists from various media outlets, who performed their duties smoothly, professionally, and without any restrictions.

The entire event proceeded within normal parameters, with correct relations among all participants, both inside and outside the Parliament building. All police officers who participated in securing the mentioned event performed their duties professionally, expertly, lawfully, and according to professional standards, while respecting the Police Code of Ethics.

During the course of the event, at 11:50 AM, two unidentified persons caused an incident in front of the Parliament building, in the area where the veterans' protest was taking place, thereby contaminating the security zone and making it high-risk. Subsequent police actions determined that these unidentified persons were employees of the respected media house “Radio Free Europe - TV Liberty”.

These individuals completely ignored the lawful orders issued to them by authorized officials of the Federal Police Administration, committing very serious legal violations in the process, and their conduct and actions were akin to hooliganism. They insulted and belittled police officers and the Federal Police Administration.

Aware of their inappropriate behavior and actions, they subsequently issued completely false press releases.
All of the above is evidenced by a letter of support sent to the Federal Police Administration by the veterans who were present at the gathering.

The Federal Police Administration maintains open, transparent, and continuous cooperation with all media houses and services in our country and abroad; we have always provided protection to every media professional, and we will continue to do so.

We invite the representative of the BH Journalists Association, Borka Rudić, to inspect all documentation related to the mentioned event at the Federal Police Administration, without any limitations, and to refute the claims made in the hastily issued press release of this Association, dated 23.09.2017.

- We invite an authorized representative of the respected media house “Radio Free Europe” to also obtain information at the Federal Police Administration regarding the matter and inspect the documentation related to the mentioned case, and to conduct an appropriate procedure regarding the conduct and actions of their employees.