SIPA arrests 12 people in "Var" operation

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Police officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) today in the area of Šamac, Orašje and Novi Travnik, by order of the Court and Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, carried out an operational action codenamed "Var".

During the implementation of the operational action, SIPA police officers searched five locations and arrested 12 individuals on grounds of suspicion that they committed the criminal offense under Article 250 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina "Organized Crime" and Article 383 of the Criminal Code of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina "Abuse of Official Position and Authority", in connection with the criminal offense under Article 380 of the Criminal Code of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina "Receiving Gifts and Other Forms of Benefit".

"The suspects are accused of fixing football matches of the Premier League of BiH and the First League of FBiH. During the search, mobile phones and other items that could serve as evidence in further criminal proceedings were discovered and temporarily seized. After criminal processing at SIPA premises, the arrested individuals will be handed over to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina for further proceedings," SIPA announced.

They thanked the Intelligence-Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Central Bosnia Canton, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, for their assistance in carrying out this operation.