Izetbegović's humiliation of the judiciary confirms that the authorities do not support the fight against corruption and crime

The statement by Bakir Izetbegović, president of the SDA and member of the BiH Presidency, that the prosecutor's offices in BiH have unjustly prosecuted politicians and that “we don't need that” is the most severe form of political interference and humiliation of the judicial system in BiH since its independence, the SDP announced, as reported by the Patria news agency.

- With such retrograde thinking and attitudes, Izetbegović has undoubtedly shown what he thinks of BiH as a state governed by the rule of law, where everyone should be equal before the law. It is obvious that Izetbegović gives himself the right to decide who is equal before the law, i.e., guilty or innocent, depending on what someone can be used for, whether it is forming a coalition or some “business” (criminal) venture. Then, according to Izetbegović's understanding, those and such people can do whatever they want.

We in the SDP call on all investigative bodies to prosecute, in accordance with the law, all those for whom there is even the slightest evidence that they are responsible for any type of crime. This especially applies to all those political officials mired in corruption, due to whom this country and its citizens have suffered enormous damage for years.

It is precisely the responsibility of Izetbegović and the party he leads for such a state of affairs that is the greatest, because the SDA has been appointing its incompetent, corrupt, but loyal cadres to the most responsible positions in the police, prosecutor's office and courts for two decades, who are ready to turn a blind eye to blatant crime, while simultaneously mounting investigations and proceedings against anyone who bothers the SDA leadership in any way. The result is a general collapse of the security-judicial apparatus, which is no longer able to cope even with street crime, let alone political corruption, organized criminal groups and terrorism.

Izetbegović's scandalous outburst is the latest alarm for the unification of all progressive forces in our society to fight together for justice and a decisive crackdown on systemic corruption and political sponsors and protectors of crime.

Now it is clear to us why the FBiH Government, composed of the SDA, HDZ and SBB, did not plan to allocate a single convertible mark in the budget for 2016, so that the federal USKOK could finally start working. Izetbegović said clearly in front of cameras and in the face of all BiH citizens that he thinks we don't need the fight against corruption, especially corrupt politicians.

Contrary to Izetbegović, we in the SDP firmly believe that an independent, strong and depoliticized judiciary is needed in this country immediately, and we will continue our struggle to achieve that goal together with all who share such an ideal - the SDP statement said.