Money and SDA membership card for a job at Elektrodistribucija

SARAJevo, (Patria) - During the trial for abuses in public company employment, a witness for the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office in Sarajevo stated that he handed over an envelope with 16,000 marks, which he received from inspectors, to the accused Ramiz Karavdić, writes Birn.

Sead Keserović, an employee of Elektrodistribucija in Zavidovići who received immunity from prosecution, said that he wanted to get his son Ismet employed at the company where he works.

According to him, he inquired among his colleagues if there was a chance for that, and Ismet Alihodžić told him that he knew someone who could arrange it. Alihodžić mentioned that it was his wife's relative – Ramiz Karavdić.

- Ramiz called me and said he could employ my son, but it would cost 16 'somova'. I wasn't sure what he meant, and he told me I was stupid and that it meant thousands - the witness stated.

Keserović said he decided to take out a loan for the funds, but wanted guarantees first. In communication with Alihodžić and Karavdić, as the witness stated, they determined what documentation was needed for employment, and it was also suggested that he should obtain a membership card of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA).

Keserović handed over the collected documentation to Alihodžić, as he said. As nothing happened in two months, the witness went to the accused Karavdić.

- I said that all of this was suspicious to me, that I no longer wanted such a service and that they should return my papers. He asked for my patience and referred me to Senad Traka, and he later to his son Nedžad. They could supposedly return the documents faster - the witness said.

According to Keserović's account, he later contacted his former boss Šemsa Pejić and explained what he had done. The next day, according to Keserović, he received a call from Edisej Sjerotanović, director of the Elektrodistribucija Zenica Branch.

- He told me it was a criminal offense and that if I didn't report it to the police, he would - Keserović added.

After giving his statement to the Federal Police Administration and the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor's Office, as well as investigative agencies, Keserović said he was wired, and his phone was also under surveillance. He was instructed not to answer calls from the then-suspects, but he met Karavdić, and they arranged a meeting.

- Inspectors brought me cash, gave me the money... I went to the agreed location and waited for Ramiz. He came from the direction of Ribnica. I gave him the money and told him not to call me anymore - the witness said.

The indictment charges former SDA Secretary General Amir Zukić, as well as Safet Bibić, Nedžad and Senad Traka, Ramiz Karavdić, Esed Džananović, and Asim Sarajlić with illegally mediating employment in public companies.

Lawyer Senad Pizović, defense counsel for the accused Senad Traka, asked the witness why he reactivated the plan to employ his son with the help of these people, given that he had persistently asked for his papers back, stating that he was withdrawing.

- Ask the police that - the witness said.

The trial continues on June 18.