Setting Fire to the Presidency Building: Not Terrorism, but Hatibović and Trnka Face Up to 10 Years in Prison

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed on August 20, 2015, an indictment charging defendants Salem Hatibović and Nihad Trnka with committing a serious criminal offense against the general safety of people and property and causing general danger, reports the Patria news agency.

The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina filed an indictment against Salem Hatibović (58) from Sarajevo and Nihad Trnka (23) from Konjic on suspicion of committing a serious criminal offense against the general safety of people and property when they set fire to the building of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina during protests held on February 7, 2014. At that time, significant material damage was caused to the Presidency building and other institutions, amounting to approximately 400,000 KM, and archival materials of invaluable cultural and historical heritage for Bosnia and Herzegovina were destroyed.

Previously, these acts were classified as terrorism, but the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina amended the indictment, which was confirmed by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hatibović and Trnka face a prison sentence ranging from three months to ten years.