Salihović: The Prosecutor's Office does not prosecute people because someone thinks the time has come for it

Goran Salihović, Chief Prosecutor of the BiH Prosecutor's Office, addressing MPs at a session of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, said that this institution has strengthened not because of him, but because of the state of BiH, writes Patria.

- I don't know how things were done before I came, but 60 percent more has been accomplished. We don't look at who is from where; all victims are the same to us. We often sit with them. This year, we have processed over 605 suspects, resulting in over 2,000 years of imprisonment for war crimes. We are still dissatisfied because it can always be better. Why someone was brought in, it's not because they came because they were summoned (hearing of the Director of the Statistics Agency, op.a.). At this moment, we have identified 23,000 missing persons, and there are still 7,000 to find. Of course, we need money. But, in relation to the victims, you and we have the same obligations, and money must be allocated for that – Salihović said.

The Chief Prosecutor also addressed the remarks of SNSD MPs regarding the non-processing of the Atif Dudaković case.

- I will tell you, one prosecutor did nothing, and I initiated disciplinary proceedings against him – Salihović emphasized.

Speaking about the prosecution of war crimes, he said that they have a strategy based on which they transferred cases to a lower level.

- It is being done, you must know that, and we have completed all the Hague cases. Regional cooperation is not just talk for the sake of it... It is a fraternal cooperation. There are certain problems at the political level, but the three of us cooperate perfectly – Salihović stated.

He said that last time he addressed the BiH Parliament, he stated that regarding corruption, nothing was being done before his arrival, and he didn't even find a single case in a drawer.

- It cannot be done so quickly. For a year and a half, I secretly worked on Pavlović and Bobar Bank, and I had the most problems with experts. This indicates that we need independent experts. It is very difficult because I have to bring in experts from Serbia or Croatia. The cases are progressing well, and I am not here to work for any party. If we have grounds for any indictment, it will proceed. This institution cannot be one that prosecutes someone because someone thinks the time has come for it – Salihović emphasized.