Inzko lifts ban on holding public office for all those on the list

High Representative Valentin Inzko today lifted the remaining bans on holding public office for 30 individuals, the OHR announced today. The bans were lifted, among others, for Munir Alibabić, former head of the Federal Intelligence Agency, Dževad Mlaćo, former mayor of Bugojno, and Ante Jelavić, former leader of the HDZ BiH. Following the lifting of these bans, no individual remains under the sanctions of the High Representative.

- This is the final step in a process initiated nine years ago by High Representative Paddy Ashdown, aimed at reviewing and lifting bans for removed officials. The High Representative has always emphasized that the removal of officials from public office is an extraordinary measure and a direct intervention in the political process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, the High Representative has continuously reviewed these bans – which have always been considered temporary – with the goal of lifting them when conditions permit – the OHR stated.

Following consultations with representatives of the international community, the High Representative concluded that the reasons for these removals no longer exist.

- Today's news in no way changes the High Representative's authority to remove individuals in the future if they violate or challenge the Peace Agreement and the peace it has brought to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina – the OHR said.

These decisions, as stated, do not call into question the validity of the original removals, nor do they authorize the individuals concerned to return to the positions from which they were removed.

- The decisions take effect immediately and in no way affect any ongoing or future legal proceedings against these individuals. The lifting of the bans also in no way represents support for any of these individuals to return to the political scene, nor does it create any obligations for their former employers – the OHR emphasized, as reported by NAP.

List of all individuals whose sanctions by the High Representative have been lifted:

1. Alibabić Munir
2. Andrić-Lužanski Ivo
3. Barišić Ante
4. Božićković Goran
5. Đonko Himzo
6. Džodan Petar
7. Hodžić Ferid
8. Ivić Ivan
9. Jelavić Ante
10. Jevrić Blaško
11. Josipović Miodrag
12. Jurković Mara
13. Kordić Krunoslav
14. Lemez Boško
15. Mandić Dragan
16. Marković Pero
17. Matić Branko
18. Mlaćo Dževad
19. Nikolić Zoran
20. Pažin Pero
21. Pecelj Milovan
22. Pušić Berislav
23. Ristić Momčilo
24. Šahinović Rasim
25. Tokić Marko
26. Topalović Slavko
27. Umičević Đorđe
28. Veladžić Mirsad
29. Zahiragić Jusuf
30. Žarković Risto