Anti-Corruption Commission schedules public hearings on UIO BiH scandals for March 10 and 17

(Patria) - The Anti-Corruption Commission of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, chaired by Branislav Borenović, adopted a decision to hold a public hearing regarding alleged corrupt activities in the Indirect Taxation Authority (UIO) of BiH. The hearing is scheduled in two sessions – March 10 and 17.

The Commission made the decision after the Independent Union of Civil Servants and Employees of UIO BiH submitted an official request for a public hearing, citing alleged irregularities in the Authority's operations, with particular reference to the "Pandora" case.

The first part of the public hearing is planned for March 10, when union representatives are expected to address the Commission members. The second part is scheduled for March 17, to which the leadership of UIO BiH will be invited, including current and former directors Zoran Tegeltija and Miro Džakula. The presence of the leadership of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and the Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH will also be requested.

The Union's request states that the "Pandora" operation, launched in 2014, in their view "started excellently but ended ingloriously," and that it failed due to corrupt actions and influence peddling. They claim that certain actors in that case are still employed at UIO BiH, have even been promoted, and that disciplinary or criminal proceedings against some of them have not been concluded, N1 reports.

The Union also raises concerns about, as they state, the lack of adequate action by the Prosecutor's Office of BiH and other competent authorities, including the failure to impose suspensions and disciplinary measures against suspected officials. The document emphasizes that, in their opinion, the competent institutions were obliged to act in accordance with legal regulations and their jurisdictions, but failed to do so.

It is also stated that letters were sent to the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) and the Office of the Disciplinary Prosecutor, but that, according to the Union's claims, there was no appropriate response. Specific criminal cases and names of certain officials are also mentioned, along with claims that certain proceedings were suspended or did not result in final verdicts.

The Union states that this is a matter of broader public interest, as it concerns, they claim, the protection of the budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina, domestic production, and jobs. They expect the public hearing to shed light on the allegations of irregularities and determine the potential responsibility of those in charge.

The upcoming Commission sessions should provide a clearer picture of how the competent institutions acted regarding the "Pandora" case and other allegations of corruption in UIO BiH.

In addition to Chairman Branislav Borenović, the BiH Anti-Corruption Commission also includes First Deputy Chairman Predrag Kožul, Second Deputy Chairwoman Emina Salkičević - Dizdarević, and members Zlatan Begić, Jasmin Emrić, Nenad Grković, Safet Kešo, Milorad Kojić, and Nermin Mandra.