Nešić Claims He Respects the Court and the Prosecutor's Office of BiH and Wants to Be Released from Custody, Prosecutor Jolović Objects

A hearing for the extension of custody for former BiH Security Minister Nenad Nešić was held at the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The BiH Prosecutor's Office requested an additional three months of custody. Nešić was arrested on December 26, 2024, and has been in custody since December 28.

Prosecutor Bojana Jolović stated that they have undertaken a series of actions. Among other things, a certain number of witnesses have been heard, a search of confiscated phones and devices has been conducted, and their expert examination has been ordered.

- The financial investigation is in its initial phase. A preliminary report has been submitted, but based on it, the acquired property benefit can be determined. It has been confirmed that there was influence on witnesses. In February, a witness was heard who stated that he received instructions from Nešić's former advisor to ask Mirko Pandurević to change his testimony. They were told from Serbia what they should say or, if they had already spoken, what they should change - Jolović explained and revealed that part of Nešić's property in Montenegro has been frozen.

Jolović stated that three months is an optimal timeframe and that the financial investigation and cooperation with judicial institutions will require this time.

Nešić's lawyer Senka Nožica says that the right to defense has been violated and that they have not received any evidence. She points out that abuse of official position is not described in any of the actions Nešić is charged with. She says the elements of this offense are not stated.

- The Prosecutor's Office was obliged to determine that Nešić acted in an improper manner, i.e., that he attempted to pressure witnesses. The Prosecutor's Office must have arguments, not assumptions. Here it is described that the advisor spoke with a witness and asked him to talk to Pandurević, who is also a suspect, because if Nešić remains in custody he will lose his ministerial position, and his associates will lose their jobs - Nožica pointed out and added:

- As if at that moment it was more important for Nešić to remain a minister than to be cleared of guilt. Everything is an assumption.

She pointed out that the Prosecutor's Office heard only seven witnesses in two months, and especially that only one was heard in February.

- I see this for the first time in my legal practice. The Prosecutor's Office had enough time to both find them and hear them - she said.

The lawyer asked who Nešić could influence if he has not been the director of the Roads of Republika Srpska for more than five years, and is no longer a minister, and proposed that Nešić be released from custody.

- He resigned from the position of minister not because it was expected, but to ease the situation for the Council of Ministers - the lawyer said.

Finally, she also stated that it was not specified that the advisor influenced witnesses with Nešić's consent. She proposed that he be released from custody with restrictive measures.

Nešić said that he has always respected all judicial institutions.

- I have always responded and have not obstructed. In my statements, I said that I believe in state institutions - he said.

He explained that he submitted property declarations both when he was a representative and when he became a minister.

- I did not hide anything. I voluntarily left the position of minister. If I hadn't, I would still be in that position. You see what the situation is - Nešić stated.

He also commented on the influence on witnesses.

- I cannot and do not want to harm anyone. I am ready to answer for everything I have done. Relieve me and my family. I accept any restrictive measure. I will report to any police station of the FMUP or the MUP of RS - Nešić said.

Prosecutor Jolović said that there are still 15 witnesses to be heard and that they have not managed to gather all of them because there have been certain delays in the flow of information within the institutions. She also stated that she opposes restrictive measures.

- There is no such restrictive measure that will effectively enable the conduct of this proceeding - the prosecutor said.

Nožica added that when it comes to Nešić, cooperation with the authorities of RS functions, i.e., that all agencies from RS cooperate with the BiH Prosecutor's Office.