Mektić: We arrested and expelled a person linked to ISIL

Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Mektić confirmed that police agencies arrested a person linked to ISIL last night, reports Patria agency.

Mektić said that police agencies obtained information that the person was close to ISIL structures.

- That person was returned from BiH early this morning. We believe they came to try to use their stay for some terrorist activity. For now, they have been identified and will not be able to enter BiH in the future – Minister Mektić stated.

He added that terrorism has become a global security threat, and that there is constant discussion about whether BiH is a terrorist country given some past events.

- We in BiH have undertaken many measures and actions to eliminate everything that can be called a terrorist threat. Recently, we have been increasingly focusing on preventing various terrorist threats – emphasized the BiH Minister of Security.

Mektić pointed out that the threat of terrorism has not yet been completely eliminated, but that security structures are doing everything to act preventively and prevent potential attacks.

- The essence of the fight against terrorism is to get information first, eliminate the threat, and thereby prevent a terrorist act – said Mektić.

Mektić confirmed that the Ministry of Security of BiH, together with colleagues from Slovenia, has developed and applied for an EU project worth 18 million KM related to the fight against terrorism and human trafficking.

Minister of Security Mektić emphasized that security agencies bear the greatest responsibility for problems related to terrorism. He stressed that he does not shy away from the role of bearing the greatest responsibility as Minister of Security.

- We must change the awareness of citizens regarding the perception of terrorism. We intercept everything we can, within our capabilities. The state will have to strengthen its capacities, to strengthen ourselves in terms of personnel and technology – Mektić concluded.