Operation "Pandora" underway, former UIO BiH Director Kemal Čaušević arrested

The State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) has launched an operation codenamed "Pandora", which is being conducted in a wider area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the agency announced, and the subject of the operation are individuals from the leadership of the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

The BiH Prosecutor's Office confirmed to the media that former director of the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH Kemal Čaušević, as well as Zdravko Cvjetinović, assistant director of the Customs Sector of the UIO BiH, were arrested in the operation.

It is stated that the operation is being conducted in the areas of Sarajevo, Ilidža, Istočno Sarajevo, Ilijaš, Kiseljak, Tuzla, Brčko, Gradačac, Srebrenik, Doboj, Doboj Jug, Tešanj, Čelić, Banja Luka, Brod, Gradiška, Kozarska Dubica, Čelinac, Kotor Varoš, Derventa, Prijedor, Bihać, Bijeljina, and Zvornik. 

It was announced that searches also included the official premises of the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH. The mentioned individuals are suspected of committing the criminal offense of organized crime in connection with the criminal offenses of tax evasion or fraud, customs fraud, money laundering, and abuse of position or authority, related to the import of textile and other goods. The operation also includes former and current high-ranking officials of the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH - it was announced from SIPA.