Ombudsman Sues Hercegovačka Banka Over Disputed Sale of Dretelj Oil Terminal

(Patria) - The Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina has filed a lawsuit with the Municipal Court in Čapljina against "Hercegovačka banka" d.d. Mostar in bankruptcy and other legal entities, seeking a declaration of nullity of the contract on the transfer of ownership rights over the real estate of the Dretelj Oil Terminal. At the same time, a proposal was submitted for the determination of a judicial and interim measure of securing a prohibition on the disposal and alienation of state property.

These are properties that were owned by the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and which, as stated, were illegally traded between certain legal entities in the period from 1996 to 2003, based on illegal and illegitimate decisions contrary to the Constitution of BiH.

"Hercegovačka banka" d.d. Mostar became the owner of these properties (cadastral parcels number 567 K.O. Dretelj and number 815 K.O. Dretelj) based on a contract on the transfer of ownership rights, concluded within the framework of a contract on exchange of performance with this bank and "Hercegovina osiguranje" d.d. Mostar.

A public auction for the sale of the aforementioned properties, including the assets of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is scheduled for August 22, 2025. Therefore, the Ombudsman of BiH earlier sent a request to the Municipal Court in Mostar for the exclusion of state property from the bankruptcy estate of "Hercegovačka banka" d.d. in bankruptcy.

The Ombudsman emphasizes that Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the titleholder, is the only one with the right to dispose of state property, and that any decision, act or contract by which someone else disposes of that property is null and void.