CASE CLUSTER BiH Court Sentenced to Prison and Fines for Diploma Sales, Trial Continues for Three Accused

(Patria) - In the case of the sale of forged diplomas at private universities and the "Cluster" operation, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina considered plea agreements. The BiH Court imposed prison sentences on the accused, and legal entities were also fined.

For conspiracy to commit criminal offenses, abuse of official position, illegal trade, and forgery of documents, Mirko Tufegdžija and Vaso Pajić were sentenced to a unified prison sentence of two years. The BiH Court imposed a conditional sentence if they do not commit a new criminal offense within the next five years. Union College of Mostar is obliged to pay a fine of 50,000 marks. For the other accused, although they admitted guilt and signed an agreement with the BiH Prosecutor's Office, the BiH Court issued a decision:

"Three plea agreements concluded between the BiH Prosecutor's Office and the accused Vladimir Stojanović, Vojislav Škrbić, and the legal entity University "Viktoria Internesnl" are rejected. The admissions from this agreement cannot be used as evidence in criminal proceedings," said BiH Court judge Miroslav Janjić.

The trial for these individuals will continue before the BiH Court.

According to the collected evidence, at least 49 higher education diplomas were issued to individuals who did not study, at prices ranging from 3,500 to 10,000 marks. The BiH Court issued a decision to merge this procedure with the procedure against Zoran Kalinić, former rector at the Independent University in Banja Luka.

"The proceedings against the accused Vladimir Stojanović, Vojislav Škrbić, and the legal entity University Viktorija Internesnl before the trial panel of the BiH Court are merged with the proceedings against Zoran Kalinić before this trial panel," stated Janjić, BHRT reports.

The "Cluster" operation began in February 2023 and resulted in an indictment against 21 people. They are accused of selling diplomas in medicine, law, forestry, economics, and numerous other fields. Private universities operated in the areas of Banja Luka, Mostar, and Brčko District.

Some of the accused have previously admitted guilt, and some plea agreements have been accepted.