Stanić: SIPA is investigating the murder of Jozo Leutar

SIPA Director Perica Stanić claims there were no pressures on him or the Agency regarding the arrest of SBB leader Fahrudin Radončić. It is a coincidence, he says, that the arrest occurred when he took over as director, reports the Patria News Agency.

-SIPA carried out the arrest on the order of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH. Someone else could have been in my place as director, but the Prosecutor's Office orders must be executed, says Stanić.

He emphasizes that there are no pressures on him in general.

-Even before my appointment, I said that my work would not be influenced by political structures, individuals, or informal circles. Since I took over as director, there have been no such attempts, and if they occur, I will not hesitate to inform the public, Stanić states, adding that he was not appointed director to fulfill the wishes of certain political structures and individuals, but to execute the orders of the Prosecutor's Office and the Court of BiH in accordance with the law.

He also stresses that there are no pressures from the international community, although he says he often hears that in the media.

-No one from the international community has approached me so far and asked me to lead or stop an investigation. There is no external influence, Stanić is categorical.

We are all equal before the law, he emphasizes, and guarantees that he will conduct every investigation on the order of the Prosecutor's Office, regardless of the social status or national affiliation of the person under investigation.

He says that cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska is excellent, despite the case in Bosanski Novi that fueled tensions, and that it will continue in the future.

One of the investigations conducted by SIPA is the murder of the former Deputy Minister of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Jozo Leutar.

-SIPA is involved in shedding light on this murder. The Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Sarajevo requested our involvement, and we recently formed a group of police officers who will work intensively on this case. It will be difficult because a lot of time has passed, but we will do our best to obtain information that will lead to the resolution of this murder, Stanić emphasizes.

He also commented on the recent suspension of 11 SIPA police officers, who are being investigated by the Prosecutor's Office of BiH based on an anonymous report.

-These are illegal procedures related to promotions. The suspension of these 11 people is a severe blow to SIPA, as it occurred at a time when a larger number of high-ranking officers had retired, but I was forced to do it, says Stanić in an interview with N1.