Detention extended for former director of the Home for the Elderly in Tuzla Bakalović and Zinaida Razić-Halilović

(Patria) - The Cantonal Court in Tuzla has extended the detention of Mirsad Bakalović, former director of the Home for the Elderly in Tuzla, and Zinaida Razić Halilović, head of the Service for Economic, Financial, Accounting and General Affairs and a member of the institution's Management Board.

The detention has been extended for one month each, and may last until February 14 or until a different court decision, ruling on the proposal of the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Tuzla Canton.

The suspects are accused of having committed the criminal offense of grave criminal offenses against general safety of people and property in connection with the criminal offense of causing general danger as accomplices, while Bakalović is also charged with the prolonged criminal offense of abuse of position or authority.

The court assessed that the extension of detention is necessary due to the existence of extraordinary circumstances, considering the gravity of the criminal offense, the consequences it caused, as well as the fact that the place of commission is a public institution of special social importance where about 180 elderly persons were staying at the time of the fire.

The explanation of the decision also states that the release of the suspects could pose a real threat to the disruption of public order, considering the public unrest and great public interest in this case.

We remind you that in the fire that broke out on November 4 in the Home for the Elderly on the seventh floor, where immobile or severely immobile residents were located, 17 residents died. Some died on the spot, and some in the hospital.