SIPA Union: Unfounded criminal prosecution of our police officers will have serious consequences, they acted in accordance with the law

(Patria) - The Union of the State Investigation and Protection Agency expresses concern and strongly condemns the actions of the East Sarajevo Police Administration, which resulted in the filing of a criminal complaint against seven members of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA).

"Namely, according to information from the statement of the East Sarajevo Police Administration, SIPA officers are charged with alleged criminal offenses of unlawful deprivation of liberty and abuse of official position.

However, we want to clearly emphasize that these officers acted exclusively on the order of the competent prosecutor's office, within their legal authorities and tasks prescribed by the Law on SIPA and the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Every action of theirs was based on official acts and instructions from competent authorities, not on self-initiated or politically motivated actions.

It is particularly unacceptable to individually target police officers by initials in public, while performing any official task, which further politicizes the work of state bodies and creates an atmosphere of pressure and intimidation.

The Union calls on all competent institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and all other relevant entities – to urgently protect the legality of the work of SIPA police officers, who professionally performed their duties.

We warn that the unfounded criminal prosecution and public discrediting of police officers will have serious consequences for the rule of law, the safety of all citizens, and the reputation of BiH institutions.

The Union of the State Investigation and Protection Agency provides full support to SIPA officers and demands protection from political and institutional pressures.

Also, the Union will undertake all legal and institutional measures to protect its members and persist in the fight for a professional and politically independent police service," states the statement signed by Edin Kahrimanović, President of the SIPA Union.