WHEN THE PHONE RINGS Who is really leading SIPA and why did Hasanović meet with Ćulum outside the agency building?

By: A. Čorbo-Zećo

While cases with strong political and social consequences are before the judicial institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, processes are unfolding in the background that are causing serious concern for the independence and functionality of key state agencies. And those that, according to law and the constitution, must first and foremost work on the security of all citizens of BiH.

One such case is related to a recent meeting at SIPA, held on May 7, where, according to information obtained by Patria, investigators tried to agree on the next steps in a complex case better known as Milorad Dodik and others. The others are Nenad Stevandić and Radovan Višković. All are high-ranking officials of Republika Srpska, formally fugitives from BiH justice, and informally free men who travel where and when they want.

According to available information, that meeting at SIPA on May 7 was interrupted when the assistant director for the investigative sector, Suad Hasanović, received a phone call. As those present were reportedly informed, the call came from the former director of SIPA, Darko Ćulum, after which Hasanović decided to leave the meeting for a supposed meeting outside the agency's premises!?

Such a move, although perhaps procedurally explainable, caused concern and insecurity among the present investigators who, according to our sources, expected concrete instructions and institutional protection in their legal actions. Some of them, as is unofficially known, decided to take sick leave, which further indicates the present feeling of pressure and insecurity within the institution.
Questions arise on their own: can information from sensitive investigations be shared with individuals who no longer have formal authority? And Ćulum definitely does not!

Who provides support to officials working on cases of high public interest? And most importantly, are all parts of the system within the agency itself equally committed to respecting the orders of the Prosecutor's Office and the Court of BiH?

In this context, other names are also mentioned, such as Amer Veiz, who is formally at the head of the investigative team, and Novak Mijović, to whom, according to claims within the system, certain management powers have been transferred. There is no confirmation that the mentioned individuals acted outside the scope of their authority, but there are calls from the professional and public community for greater transparency and accountability in such sensitive cases.

Also, our sources state that some SIPA officials have tried to draw the attention of the authorities, so reporting to FUP on alleged internal irregularities that could affect the legality of their work is not excluded.

At this moment, when the political temperature in the country is not cooling down, it is necessary to ensure that institutions remain firmly on the side of the law and public interest. SIPA, as a key state agency, must clearly show that it is above any political influence, regardless of who is the subject of the investigation.

Because, if investigators cannot receive protection within their own institution, the question arises whether the system can protect citizens at all. The answer is already known, and it is known that the Council of Ministers of BiH is also responsible for everything, which has not formally dismissed Ćulum, so he, after the failed game with Dodik, is trying to return to the head of SIPA!