Independent Board opens applications for SIPA director on Monday, will also consider the 'Zoran Galić' case

(Patria) - The Independent Board will hold a session on Monday, July 15, with several items on the agenda, while the agenda may be supplemented due to the new situation in the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) following the escape from arrest of SIPA deputy director Zoran Galić.

As confirmed to Patria by Enes Obralija, Chairman of the Independent Board, this session will review applications received for the position of SIPA director, given that the mandate of the current director, Darko Ćulum, expires this month.

"Seven applications were received for the competition. When we open them, we will see if all seven meet the formal legal requirements," said Obralija.

Also, given that Uroš Pena, a member of the Independent Board, recently passed away, Obralija said he will inform the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, i.e., initiate the procedure to fill this position. However, this procedure does not affect the competition procedure for SIPA director because a quorum for work in the Independent Board exists.

Regarding the current topic of the escape of SIPA deputy director Zoran Galić, we asked Obralija whether the Independent Board will comment on this case.

"I will propose that the agenda be supplemented and that we also consider this situation. For now, we have no official information, nor has anything arrived at the Independent Board. We will either request information from Director Ćulum or pay a visit, but for now, the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the one that has the information," said Obralija.

Although the Independent Board is competent to initiate the dismissal of directors and deputy directors of police agencies, in this case, it is still not possible.

Given that the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, i.e., Chief Prosecutor Milanko Kajganić, informed the public that Zoran Galić illegally left Bosnia and Herzegovina to avoid arrest, the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina should officially inform the Independent Board about this as well.