CONFIRMED FOR NAP - SIPA questioned Aličković on report against Antonić, will BiH Prosecutor's Office change its approach to genocide denial?!

By Rasim Belko

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Nihad Aličković was questioned today at the premises of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) as the complainant in a criminal report against Momčilo Antonić for denying the genocide, Patria has learned.

Aličković himself confirmed the information, stating in a statement to Patria that he was questioned by order of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regarding the Antonić case.

Aličković filed the report against Antonić on February 18, 2022, due to statements made at a session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

Antonić is an SNSD representative in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, and at the January 2022 session, he called on all representatives to publicly deny the genocide.

"We know how you think, let the people know too. I say, there was no genocide in Srebrenica. Come on, you say it too, even if it's for pre-election purposes," Antonić said at the time.

As Aličković told us, SIPA, by order of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will also question the reported Antonić, as well as witnesses.

Aličković: I believe this could be the first case of an investigation being opened for genocide denial

"This is the first time a procedure has been initiated for denial, so I believe this could be the first case of an investigation being opened and an indictment being filed for genocide denial. The matter here is very clear; in the criminal report, I also submitted a video recording, on which everything is visible and audible," Aličković emphasizes for Patria.

We remind you that the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has so far consistently rejected all reports regarding the denial of genocide, glorification of war criminals, and the crimes themselves.

Therefore, the questioning of Aličković by order of the BiH Prosecutor's Office is also seen by the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide as a possible change in the approach to reports of genocide denial.

The president of the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide, Murat Tahirović, hopes that this is an indication of a change in the Prosecutor's Office's approach and tells Patria that "as soon as the BiH Prosecutor's Office orders that a procedure be opened, it means something."

"I hope we will finally see results. And what Antonić said is not much different from others. I hope the Prosecutor's Office will continue the procedure and allow the Court to decide on everything," concludes Tahirović.

The story of prosecuting deniers of genocide and those who glorify war criminals has been ongoing since former High Representative Valentin Inzko imposed amendments to the Criminal Code, classifying these acts as criminal offenses.

Chief State Prosecutor Milanko Kajganić justified the rejection of dozens of reports by the lack of case law. However, it is evident that this is also slowly changing, as European courts and the European Court of Human Rights have established this practice.

The questioning regarding the report against Momčilo Antonić, in a way, indicates that deniers of genocide and those who celebrate war criminals will soon not be able to do so with impunity.

We will know very soon whether the Antonić case signifies a change in the Prosecutor's Office's approach to these cases.

Certainly, the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be aware of the continuous warnings from the European Union that the rule of law must be established, that victims of crimes and genocide must be protected, which is largely a prerequisite for reconciliation.