Inspectors check claims about extremist religious sect in Istočna Ilidža

(Patria) - Following media reports and increased public concern over claims that members of an extremist religious sect have settled in the area of Istočna Ilidža, the BiH Service for Foreigners' Affairs has issued a statement.

"Based on collected operational data, inspectors from the Service for Foreigners' Affairs have learned that a group of foreigners practicing their religious beliefs in an extreme manner is residing in the area of Istočna Ilidža. In this regard, an inspection was carried out, where 37 foreign nationals were found in two private properties owned by BiH citizen S.V., located on Meše Selimovića Street, Istočna Ilidža. These are families with minor children, citizens of the United States of America, Canada, and Guatemala.

Checks through official records revealed that the individuals entered Bosnia and Herzegovina during November 2021 and are residing in BiH under the visa-free stay provision. The foreign nationals initially resided in the Sarajevo Canton, after which they changed their place of residence and settled at the aforementioned address in Istočna Ilidža.

It was further determined that the said individuals were not registered for their place of residence in accordance with the Law on Foreigners, and a conversation was held with the BiH citizen, S.V., regarding the stay of foreigners in the properties he owns, and he was penalized for failing to register the foreign nationals.

Given that these are foreign nationals from countries that are exempt from visa requirements for entry into BiH, these individuals are entitled to a visa-free stay in the country for a total period of up to 90 days.

We note that the Service has conducted checks on the foreign nationals through available official records, including INTERPOL records, and they do not appear in these records for any reason. Contact has been established with the competent police administration, and the Service has been informed that no disturbances of public order and peace or criminal offenses have been recorded by the foreign nationals in question.

The Service for Foreigners' Affairs, along with other competent security agencies, is conducting further checks on these individuals, the outcome of which will determine further proceedings, and the public will be informed in a timely manner," the statement from the BiH Service for Foreigners' Affairs reads.