Body of policeman Samir Mustafić, missing since late March, found in Spreča riverbed

(Patria) - The lifeless body of a man has been found in the Spreča riverbed in the Miričina settlement near Gračanica, and it is most likely police officer Samir Mustafić, who has been missing since March 27th.

"Today, August 24th, from the early morning hours, police officers of the Special Police Support Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton, along with members of the Mountain Rescue Service Lukavac, continued searching the terrain of the Spreča riverbed in the Gračanica area, with the aim of finding the body of the police officer who disappeared in the Jala river on March 27th.

During this operation, around 9:30 AM, a lifeless male body was found in the Spreča riverbed in the village of Miričina, and it is most likely the police officer who was being searched for," the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton announced.

The Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Tuzla Canton was informed about the discovery of the body, and an investigation team from the Criminal Police Sector of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton was dispatched to the scene, which will conduct the investigation together with the duty prosecutor.

"All further actions, aimed at establishing the identity, will be taken under the orders and directives of the cantonal prosecutor in charge," the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton stated.

Samir Mustafić entered the swollen Jala river on March 27th during a pursuit of a fugitive, wanting to save him, but the strong current swept them away, and all trace of them was lost from then on.

Extensive searches were organized along the riverbed in the days following the disappearance.

The starting points were varied, with teams combining diving units, alpinists, Civil Protection, Mountain Rescue Service, and even heavy machinery. The body of the fugitive E.G. (27) was found on April 16th.

During the search, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton engaged all available resources - police personnel, firefighters, civil protection, armed forces, and citizens.

Policeman Samir Mustafić was posthumously awarded the Medal for Bravery on May 22nd, almost two months after he disappeared in the swollen Jala river in Tuzla.

The decision to award the medal was made by the director of the Police Administration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tuzla Canton, Dževad Korman, as a recognition of his dedication and bravery while performing his duties.