Independent Board on August 1st on Zoran Galić case, can dismissal be initiated while he is on the run and on sick leave?

(Patria) - The Independent Board of the BiH Parliament will hold a session on August 1st to consider the situation in the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), related to the escape of Deputy Director Zoran Galić, whose arrest was requested by the BiH Prosecutor's Office.

Galić has been unavailable to BiH law enforcement agencies since July 8th, and according to information released by the Chief Prosecutor of the BiH Prosecutor's Office, Milanko Kajganić, on July 9th, he illegally crossed the border into Croatia and is currently in that country. His legal team has submitted medical documentation to the BiH Prosecutor's Office, seeking to justify his stay and apparent continued presence in Croatia.

Galić is registered as being on sick leave in SIPA's records.

Galić has previously stayed in Zagreb for treatment on multiple occasions while he was also the Director of the BiH Border Police. The criminal offenses he is suspected of occurred during his tenure as head of that police agency. He has been Deputy Director of SIPA since February 2023, even though the BiH Prosecutor's Office had six open cases against Zoran Galić.

The BiH Prosecutor's Office did not prosecute Galić until EUROPOL became involved after decrypting the Sky and Anom applications.

Although Kajganić publicly disclosed details of Galić's escape to Croatia, as well as the investigation into who tipped off the fugitive about the arrest operation, the BiH Prosecutor's Office has changed its approach and is unwilling to disclose details of the ongoing investigation.

"The BiH Prosecutor's Office is undertaking the necessary procedural activities in the case. We cannot provide further information or details at this stage of the proceedings," was the response from the BiH Prosecutor's Office to Patria.

The Independent Board held a previous session on Monday, July 15th, but at that time, they did not have information about Zoran Galić's escape. They requested certain information from the BiH Prosecutor's Office then, and upon receiving it, the Independent Board will adopt appropriate conclusions and decisions.

The Independent Board is authorized to initiate the dismissal of the director and deputy director when the conditions are met.

At the same time, the Independent Board is conducting the selection procedure for the new director, as Darko Ćulum's term has expired.