Meeting at the Government of TK: Zero tolerance for crime and support for police in protecting the integrity of the service

(Patria) - At the initiative of the Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton (TK) Irfan Halilagić, a working meeting was held today at the Government of TK regarding current events and the arrest of individuals, including police officers, on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of inducing minors to prostitution.

In addition to members of the Government of TK, the meeting was attended by the Director of the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of TK Dževad Korman, the Director of the Home for Children without Parental Care Amila Šećerbegović, and the Director of the Center for Social Work Tuzla Lejla Sadiković.

The Government of TK has tasked the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Police Administration of TK to provide a detailed report by Wednesday on all activities related to this case, including proposals for measures to eliminate any shortcomings and strengthen internal controls and investigative procedures.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Labour, Social Policy and Return, the Public Institution Home for Children without Parental Care, and the competent social work centers are obliged to submit reports on their actions and proposals for improving the child protection system.

- I call on all honorable police officers, led by Director Korman, to continue their activities of reporting and prosecuting all those who tarnish the reputation of the police.

We must not stop in this process - on the contrary, it must be an additional incentive for the fight against crime, even within our own ranks - said Prime Minister Halilagić.

He reminded that the current Government has done more than ever before to strengthen the police - both materially and institutionally.

Also, today the Police Administration was asked to intensify internal controls and supervision procedures over police officers, all with the aim of preserving the integrity of the police profession and restoring public trust.

Upon completion of the investigation, the Government of TK will also propose rewarding all police officers who worked professionally and diligently on this case, with the aim of promoting professionalism and excellence in service.

- I am proud of the police officers who worked on shedding light on this event and showed that the police of Tuzla Canton have the strength to confront deviations within their own ranks.

We started that fight in 2018, and as a result, several police officers and officials have been prosecuted and removed from service in the past period - stated the Director of the Police Administration Dževad Korman.

It was emphasized at the meeting that the TK police independently conducted the investigation and arrested the suspects, including their own officers, which deserves praise, not pressure or dismissal of those who acted professionally.

The Government of TK considers any politicization of this case unacceptable, as it harms the police system and undermines the fight against crime.

Special attention was also paid to the protection of minors placed in the shelter of the Home for Children without Parental Care, which is an open-type facility.

The Government reminded that with the recent amendments to the Law on the Establishment of the Educational Center of TK, the conditions have been created for the formation of a Department for the accommodation and support of children with behavioral and emotional difficulties, which will resolve existing legal ambiguities.

The Government of Tuzla Canton emphasizes that the investigation is still ongoing and that any premature disclosure of information could jeopardize its further course.