TI BiH calls on the Council of Ministers to reject the appointment of Ćulum as SIPA Director

BANJA LUKA, (Patria) - Transparency International in BiH (TI BiH) calls on the Council of Ministers to reject the proposal of the Minister of Security, Fahrudin Radončić, to appoint Darko Ćulum as the director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA). TI BiH reminds the Council of Ministers and the public that Darko Ćulum headed the Police of Republika Srpska during a period when this institution was faced with serious accusations of violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

"Citizens of Banja Luka reported cases of mistreatment in police premises, use of excessive force, and unprofessional conduct by several police officers, especially towards civil activists, to the Ombudsman, civil society organizations, and internal police controls. At the same time, contrary to international practice, and against the warnings of domestic and international organizations, the Police, headed by Darko Ćulum, directed all its resources towards banning public gatherings in Banja Luka for a certain group of people, for which Ćulum is undergoing proceedings before the Basic Court in Banja Luka at the request of several citizens. TI BiH itself has filed several criminal complaints against police officers on suspicion of violent conduct and abuse of position in connection with police powers, all of which were directed against members of the Justice for David group and other citizens of Banja Luka who were recognized as supporters of this group.

TI BiH believes that the appointment of Darko Ćulum as the director of SIPA, or an institution whose mandate includes the fight against organized and the most serious forms of crime, will only lead to further erosion of public trust in government bodies, and in their commitment to put an end to crime and corruption. TI BiH calls on the Council of Ministers not to appoint Darko Ćulum as the director of SIPA because it would mean appointing a person against whom legal proceedings are underway for the most serious forms of violation of constitutionally guaranteed human rights and freedoms to the position of one of the most important law enforcement institutions," stated TI BiH.