Construction mafia led by Asim Sarajlić has occupied Vogošća

The investigation conducted by the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo regarding the expenditure of funds during the construction of a dog shelter in Prača, which is an unsuccessful attempt to solve the problem of an excessive number of stray dogs on the streets of Sarajevo, could be expanded to other cases related to the company „Murai-komerc“, learns the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

„Murai-komerc“, a construction company from Vogošća, which built the shelter, has also built several large residential and commercial buildings in the municipality of Vogošća in recent years.

However, according to unofficial information, the company's management avoided paying money into the municipal coffers for construction rent, so the debt of this private company to the Municipality of Vogošća has now grown to an amount reportedly exceeding one million KM.

Sources close to the municipal authorities explained to Patria that the owner of the company „Murai-komerc“ is one Muriz Alić, but the mastermind behind his construction business and political protector is the SDA vice-president and state representative Asim Sarajlić (who re-ran for the BiH Parliament), who is also from Vogošća and was the mayor of this municipality until 2010.

However, after moving to the BiH Parliament, Sarajlić left behind a well-organized structure of compliant individuals, through whom he still manages Vogošća today.

-Vogošća has become very attractive in recent years due to the toll booths in Jošanica and the Sarajevo - Tuzla main road that passes through this Municipality – this source told NAP.

-We see that a large number of residential and commercial buildings have been built here in just the last few years, a faculty is being built, and Vogošća will be connected to the center of Sarajevo by a modern tunnel and a fast road…. The construction mafia has sensed this, and no more buildings can be constructed without them – our source explains.  

Alić, according to sources from the Municipality of Vogošća, acquired a part of the former hotel „Biokovo“ below market price, which he converted into a residential building and sold, according to a pre-arranged plan, to the Ministry for Veterans Affairs of the Sarajevo Canton, and into which, as a reward, Minister Faid Hećo (BPS) or one of his family members will move in.

The construction of the building on the left side of the entrance to Vogošća from the direction of Semizovac was initially awarded to the company „Miprogradnja“ from Ilijaš, but the tender was canceled overnight, and the job was awarded to the company „Murai-komerc“. Due to this malpractice, the Municipality of Vogošća now owes the company „Miprogradnja“ from Ilijaš compensation of one million KM.

Due to two illegally constructed buildings on the road to Radića potok, „Murai-komerc“ never received approval from Elektrodistribucija BiH, so electricity was connected from neighboring buildings, and citizens do not pay for the consumed electricity at the Elektrodistribucija cash desk, but to a private collector from the company „Murai-komerc“.

-The new mayor of the Municipality of Vogošća, Edin Smajić, does not have the strength to fight the mafia network that Sarajlić built before him. The construction and utility inspectorates are managed by Sarajlić, and the assistant mayors for various construction issues are also Sarajlić's people.

THEY TAKE FROM THE POOR FOR RENT, MURAI IS EXEMPT FROM PAYMENT

Sources from this municipality decided to speak out about construction crime after the municipal authorities passed a decision last year that abolished the possibility of paying construction permits in installments for ordinary people building houses, while that decision does not apply to the company „Murai-komerc“.

- They take from poor people, who take out large loans to solve their housing problems, for construction rent, while at the same time they turn a blind eye to construction tycoons. We call on the prosecutor's offices to address this problem – adds this source, writes NAP.