Izetbegović: If Zukić Proves Innocence, He Returns to Position; There Will Again Be Dissatisfied Members in SDA

Amir Zukić will not perform the duties of Secretary General of the Party of Democratic Action until the conclusion of the court proceedings before the Municipal Court in Sarajevo for illegal employment in public companies, reports the Patria agency.

This was confirmed by SDA President Bakir Izetbegović in an interview for the Faktor portal, stating that „if Zukić proves and confirms his innocence, he will then be reinstated to the position of Secretary General.“ Zukić was arrested in February this year and was in custody until July 21. He was released to defend himself from freedom, as were all others arrested in the Bosna case. Zukić was also ordered a measure prohibiting contact with other suspects and witnesses.

The indictment also includes SDA Vice Presidents Asim Sarajlić and Mirsad Kukić, but they continue to perform their party and political functions without hindrance and face no sanctions from the SDA leadership. According to Patria sources, Zukić does not appear at SDA headquarters and has reduced all his activities to a minimum. This is understandable given that his family was targeted while he was in custody. One of Zukić's horses was killed on his estate in Visoko, and his wife Elma reported to police agencies that unknown persons were following her.

Lawyers working on this case believe the trial will last about two years. Testimony from 96 witnesses is planned.

Considering that the next General Elections are next year, and all three indicted SDA officials are also parliamentarians (Sarajlić is a representative in the State Parliament, Zukić and Kukić are deputies in the Parliament of the Federation of BiH), there is a high possibility that their names will not appear on the lists. Izetbegović indirectly indicated this as well.

- There will be turbulence and dissatisfaction again when the election lists are made, but the SDA is capable of overcoming all these problems.

Izetbegović also spoke about the status of Šemsudin Mehmedović, who received a public reprimand from the SDA Presidency on April 24, which has never been withdrawn. Senad Šepić, Salko Sokolović, and Sadik Ahmetović were expelled from the SDA. Mehmedović played it wisely, claiming he would act according to his own conscience and would not join the Independent Bloc in the BiH Parliament. On the other hand, the SDA leadership cannot ignore the fact that Mehmedović has unconditional support from SDA Tešanj. Izetbegović said that he „talks and meets with Mehmedović, and I appreciate that the misunderstandings we had with him will not be repeated.”

Mehmedović previously stated that he was offended by the public reprimand, and it remains to be seen whether it will be officially withdrawn. It is possible that his name will also not appear on the lists for the 2018 General Elections, but it is clear there will be turbulence.