SARAJEVO: Man Arrested for Inciting Murder of Police Officers

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – Sarajevo police on Monday at 4:45 PM arrested M.H. born in 1987 from Sarajevo on suspicion of committing a criminal offense of incitement under Article 32 of the Criminal Code of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"While investigating the mentioned criminal offense committed by M.H. through comments posted on an internet portal, which called for violence against police officers of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs Police Administration, police officers of the First Police Administration, in cooperation with the competent services of the Criminal Police Sector of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs, identified and located, and subsequently arrested the said individual. The Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo Canton was informed of the incident, and the individual was handed over to the premises of the Unit for Security of Facilities and Detention of Persons Deprived of Liberty of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs," the Police Administration of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs announced.

As stated by Mirza Hadžiabdić, spokesperson for the Police Administration of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs, the individual fully admitted to committing the criminal offense to the police officers, and his comments were a consequence of the lawful work of police officers who had issued him a misdemeanor order the previous day for failing to comply with the orders of the Federal Civil Protection Staff regarding mandatory social distancing and mandatory wearing of protective masks or other suitable items while in public spaces.

"No threats or any arrogance from individuals will be tolerated by the Sarajevo Canton police. Regarding the activities carried out by police officers of the Police Administration of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Internal Affairs in connection with the current coronavirus pandemic, we emphasize that the police are implementing the orders of the competent authorities, all with the aim of preventing the spread of the coronavirus and protecting the health of citizens. Every citizen who is sanctioned with a misdemeanor order, whether for offenses related to non-compliance with the orders of the competent crisis staffs or for any other reason, has the right, if they believe they are not responsible for the offense they are accused of, to request a court decision from the competent court. No one can deny them that right, just as no one can prevent, threaten, or belittle police officers from performing their duties and tasks in accordance with the law. On this occasion, we condemn all forms of threats directed at police officers and guarantee that we will continue to perform our work duties diligently and conscientiously, in accordance with the law, all in order to protect the personal and property security of our citizens. On this occasion, we thank all citizens who respect the recommendations and orders of the competent authorities, and especially those who in the past few weeks have expressed numerous thanks and praise for the work and actions of the Police Administration and police officers in these very difficult and complex circumstances," said Hadžiabdić.

Azra Bavčić, spokesperson for the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office, stated that the suspect will be released after the criminal investigation as there are no grounds for further detention, and the case will proceed through the regular procedure.