Uncertain start of the Federal USKOK in December due to administrative disputes, Government abandons construction of the Palace of Justice

President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council Halil Lagumdžija announced for the next session on September 25 and 26 the appointment of the head of the Special Department of the Federal Prosecutor's Office for Combating Corruption, Organized and Inter-Cantonal Crime, as well as nine prosecutors of the Federal Prosecutor's Office and ten judges of the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Special Department of the Supreme Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These departments are being formed to finally begin implementation of the Law on Combating Corruption and Organized Crime in the FBiH, which was adopted ten years ago.

As Lagumdžija said in the show "Answer the People" on FTV on Wednesday evening, the chief prosecutor of the Federal Prosecutor's Office will assign which prosecutors will go to the Special Department.

Although the Special Department should start working in December, Lagumdžija noted that the appointed holders of judicial functions will not be able to assume their duties until any potential administrative disputes are resolved, if there are any.

"If we appoint them on September 26, the deadlines for lawsuits are shortened, and the court's proceedings are prompt. By mid-December, I expect the court processes to be completed," said Lagumdžija.

He confirmed that for now, one floor has been secured to house these departments, and another floor will be vacated very soon. Although a five-year contract was signed for the former building of Privredna banka (now 'EURO STAN' d.o.o. Istočno Novo Sarajevo) for an area of 697.05 square meters, Lagumdžija emphasized that this is a "temporary space" and that these departments will remain there for two to three years.

The premises where these Special Departments will be located will cost the Government 31.50 KM/m² + VAT.

Although in January 2023, Lagumdžija signed an agreement with the then Prime Minister of the FBiH, Fadil Novalić, on the construction of the Palace of Justice, for which funds were secured, and which would house federal judicial institutions as well as these new departments, there is nothing from that construction for now. Lagumdžija said that this construction has "now been set aside."

In November 2023, the portal Istraga.ba reported that the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by Nermin Nikšić, had cut the funds intended for the construction of the Palace of Justice, which should house special departments for the fight against corruption and organized crime, during the rebalancing of the FBiH Budget.

Nikšić claimed that there was no time to wait for the construction of the facility, but that space would be found to start work as soon as possible. The Government did not do this even after several months, but only under pressure from the US Embassy, which demanded that Nikšić and the Government urgently find space, and at the end of August, premises on Alipašina Street were selected.

When it comes to police support, it is envisaged that the Federal Police Administration will be at the disposal of the Special Department of the Federal Prosecutor's Office.

A competition procedure is underway to fill civil servant positions in the Federal Prosecutor's Office of the FBiH.

Nine legal expert advisors, three expert advisors - investigators, three expert advisors - economists, one psychologist, and one professional associate each for general and legal affairs and public procurement, as well as a professional associate for cabinet affairs, are being sought.