Sven Alkalaj Acquitted of Negligent Work in Office, Prosecutor's Office of BiH to Appeal

The Court of BiH has acquitted former Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Sven Alkalaj of the charge of negligent work in office, reports BIRN, as carried by the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Alkalaj was acquitted of unlawfully approving a monetary reward in the amount of about 14,000 KM to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Ana Trišić-Babić by granting her a reward for work in the NATO coordination team of the Council of Ministers of BiH.

According to the verdict, Alkalaj did not intend to violate the decision stipulating that such compensations cannot be paid to the deputy head of BiH institutions.

As stated by Judge Tatjana Kosović, the Prosecutor's Office of BiH had the obligation to demonstrate that Alkalaj committed this act with intent.

The Court of BiH confirmed the indictment in March last year, and the trial began six months later.

The Prosecutor's Office of BiH issued a statement saying it will appeal the verdict against Sven Alkalaj.

- This situation shows how difficult the fight against corruption is, especially against high-ranking politicians (ministers). This will not deter us in the fight against corruption; there will be no untouchables, and all citizens are equal before the law.
We call on the citizens of BiH to join us in the fight against corruption - the Prosecutor's Office stated.

We remind that the Court of BiH yesterday acquitted the accused of charges of negligent work in office, and the Prosecutor's Office announced an appeal in that case as well.