Open Letter from Institute Employees: Blood on the Floor of the Institution, Fear and Intimidation

(Patria) - Employees of the Federal Institute of Statistics sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH, in which they claim that intimidation, persecution on a national basis, and trading of jobs are taking place within the institution, and that the situation culminated in a physical attack by the Institute's secretary Hasan Karačić on the head of the Legal Service of the Agency for Statistics of BiH Fadil Fatić.

According to the letter, the incident occurred on September 25, when Karačić attacked Fatić, causing him serious injuries – a bleeding nose, concussion, and injuries to his eye and ear. "Bloody shirt, blood on the floor of the institution... we no longer feel safe with such leadership," the letter states.

Employees claim that Karačić still enjoys the support of the authorized acting director of the Institute, Šemsa Šurković, who, as stated, is trying to influence testimonies in favor of the aggressor.

"Instead of dealing with upcoming statistical research, we are concerned about our own safety, mental health, and as of today, physical integrity," the employees state, appealing to the Prime Minister of the Federation of BiH to react urgently and protect civil servants.

The letter, as they stated, was delivered to the relevant media in addition to the Government of the FBiH.