Parents of murdered Mehmed Ramić demand response from Sarajlija: Prosecutor Knežević insults our family by negotiating with murderers

(Patria) - The parents of murdered Mehmed Ramić, Nermina and Zulfo Ramić
through their attorney Senad Pećanin sent a letter to Sabina Sarajlija, the chief prosecutor, which also constitutes a request for action.

"We address you in our capacity as parents of the murdered Mehmed Ramić, regarding the criminal proceedings being conducted against his murderer and accomplice at the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo. The indictment under number T090KT173780 is represented by prosecutor Jasminka Knežević.

With great shock, pain, disappointment and sorrow, we have been informed that prosecutor Knežević is negotiating with the attorneys of the accused about the conditions for pleading guilty to the criminal offenses of murder, aiding the perpetrator after the commission of the criminal offense, and unauthorized production and trafficking of narcotic drugs, as well as illegal possession of weapons and ammunition or explosive substances.

According to the information at our disposal, both from prosecutor Knežević and from other sources, the level of sentences being negotiated for the perpetrators of these serious criminal offenses represents not only an abuse of the possibility of plea bargaining, as regulated by Article 246 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also a mockery of the current course of the criminal proceedings, which are nearing completion, as well as of the evidence - both that which prosecutor Knežević has already presented during the proceedings, and that evidence which she did not collect, although it was available to her.

Respected Chief Prosecutor Sarajlija, we are aware that no punishment for those guilty of murder can bring back our 26-year-old son Mehmed Ramić. However, with the deepest contempt, we have rejected repeated offers from individuals who contacted us on behalf of the accused, that we, as parents of the murdered Mehmed Ramić, abandon the pursuit of justice and the application of the law for the murder of our son in exchange for a monetary compensation.

Equally, we believe that no one, not even the representative of the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo Canton, has the right to illegally negotiate the level of punishment in a manner that insults all those closest to our murdered son, both because of the gravity and consequences of the committed criminal offenses, and because of the attitude of the accused towards the acts they have committed.

Respected Ms. Sarajlija, we ask you, in accordance with the law and the authority of the chief prosecutor, to prevent yet another infliction of severe pain - both on us and on the family, friends and neighbors of our murdered son Mehmed - which would be caused by the announced procedure of prosecutor Knežević," the letter states.