SIPA Statement: MUP RS members did not approach premises in Banja Luka, work in Istočno Sarajevo proceeds without interruption

(Patria) - The State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) issued a statement following reports about the alleged takeover of its facilities by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska (MUP RS).

According to SIPA, MUP RS members did not approach the premises of the Regional Office in Banja Luka, and work at the Agency's headquarters in Istočno Sarajevo is proceeding without interruption.

"Regarding the current situation and media reports on portals concerning the takeover of facilities of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska (MUP of Republika Srpska), we inform the public that members of the MUP of Republika Srpska did not approach the premises of the Regional Office in Banja Luka. Work at the premises of SIPA's headquarters in Istočno Sarajevo is proceeding without interruption," SIPA stated.

SIPA issued another statement at 1:55 PM, calling on all media outlets to await official information from competent institutions when reporting on the current situation, as their misinformation is causing panic among the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"We reiterate that the media reports on portals concerning the takeover of facilities of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska (MUP of Republika Srpska) are not true and that members of the MUP of Republika Srpska did not approach the premises of SIPA's headquarters in Istočno Sarajevo and the Regional Office in Banja Luka," the statement read.