State MPs also demand analysis of the ITA's work, with special emphasis on the fight against corruption

The Commission for Foreign Trade and Customs of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina today tasked its Chairperson Šemsudin Mehmedović to, in cooperation with the secretary of this working body, draft a letter to the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina requesting an analysis of the situation within that institution, as well as information on problems in the ITA's operations, after which the Commission would hold a meeting with ITA representatives, writes the Patria news agency.

As Mehmedović explained to us, an analysis of foreign trade exchange and trends will be requested.

- We will request an analysis regarding problems in the ITA's work with special attention to the fight against corruption, because the situation is becoming more complex – Mehmedović emphasized.

Incidentally, the story of crime in the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina following the arrest of former director Kemal Čaušević shows no sign of ending, and the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina is still silent on this case. Čaušević's statement, which was published by Patria, stirred up the public, because Čaušević mentioned many politicians who had requested various concessions from him for committing criminal acts.

We remind you that Patria recently also published a letter from a group of ITA workers, who contacted our editorial office wishing to point out certain criminal activities of the current Administration, but under the condition of anonymity.

They initially stated that out of 2,500 employees in the ITA, only about a hundred are members of this institution's union, while all others, as they claim, have "given up on Mehmedalija Osmić, the president of the ITA union, and his like-minded associates."

The workers further stated that they do not want to defend Kemal Čaušević, but that the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina should also look into the actions of Miro Džakula, who closely cooperated with Zlatko Lagumdžija, Dragan Čović, Vjekoslav Bevanda, and Nikola Špirić.

- Let them answer how the building in Sarajevo was purchased, how the buildings in Mostar and Tuzla were equipped, how excise stamps are printed in Grude, how customs operates in Bosanska Gradiška and Bosanski Brod, and how it operates in Grude and Široki Brijeg – our interlocutors ask.

They further state that fear and trembling in the ITA is spread by Božo Zovko, the head of Džakula's cabinet.

- The Assistant Director for Customs is still Zdravko Cvjetinović, who is somewhere "idling" in abundance, like Čaušević, the workers state, while the Assistant Director for Taxes is Saudin Terzić, Lagumdžija's cadre, honest but not strong enough, which is why Džakula appreciates him, because without him he cannot accomplish anything.

Thus, Božo Zovko, with Džakula's consent, manages the entire ITA, and with the help of Osmić and a number of others who advanced during Džakula's mandate, mostly Croats, and other obedient individuals, calls the shots – they further point out.

Incidentally, the ITA has been boasting for some time about increased revenues, but workers claim this is solely due to the increase in excise taxes on cigarettes and tobacco.

- In other revenues, there is a decline in tax collection – our source reveals, adding that someone should finally look into why the ITA mostly hires Croats, specifically from Čapljina, where director Džakula is from.

- The national balance has been disrupted in favor of Croats from Čapljina, to the detriment of Bosniaks from Sarajevo and Tuzla. But we must remain silent and endure – the interlocutors state.