Protests in front of the Court in Velika Kladuša: Court reinstates worker accused of robbery and drugs

The Municipal Court in Velika Kladuša has collected over 40,000 KM from the accounts of the private company Airvent to settle obligations towards the former employee of this company, Mirsad Kekić, who was dismissed in 2011 after the prosecutor's office in Slovenia accused him of participating in a theft in that country.

In another proceeding before the Municipal Court in Velika Kladuša, Kekić is seeking to be reinstated to his job, and the management of Airvent fears that the Court may ultimately rule in Kekić's favor in this case as well.

Nermin Alešević, director of Airvent, an Austrian company for the production of cooling devices operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina, told the Patria News Agency that he dismissed Kekić in 2011 after the Slovenian prosecutor's office accused Kekić of theft, and Alešević had to testify in that process before a court in Slovenia. He testified at the request of Interpol. This case has also been pending before the Court in Velika Kladuša since 2013.

Kekić is also accused of involvement in drug trafficking, as well as drug production. SIPA arrested him several years ago for possessing large quantities of explosives as well. 

- All of this damaged the reputation of my company, and me as a director. I did not want such an employee to work in my company anymore, and I dismissed him. I think any manager would act the same way – Alešević told Patria.

- Kekić is accused of stealing welding machines in Slovenia and then allegedly selling them in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Why would I keep such a person among my honest employees – Alešević said.

After being dismissed from his job, Kekić sued the company Airvent. He demanded reinstatement to his position and payment of wages for the period he did not work. The Court in Velika Kladuša ruled in favor of Kekić in the first proceeding, and a verdict from the Court is expected soon in the second case. 

Mirsad Kekić's lawyer, Husein Mušić, told Patria earlier that there are indictments against his client, but no verdict, and that no one is guilty until proven so. 

Airvent Director Nermin Alešević accuses the Municipal Court in Velika Kladuša of corruption and states that he cannot allow Kekić to return to his company. On Tuesday, a group of employees of this company held peaceful protests in front of the Municipal Court in Velika Kladuša, Patria writes.