Zukić and Others: Refusing and Then Giving Consent for Jobs in Elektrodistribucija

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The trial of SDA Secretary General Amir Zukić and other defendants charged with multiple criminal offenses continued before the Sarajevo Municipal Court.

At the trial for abuses in employment in public companies, a witness of the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office recounted how he initially did not want to give consent for employment in the Bihać branch of “Elektrodistribucija”, but later did so, BIRN reports.

Jasmin Karabegović, former acting director of “Elektrodistribucija” Bihać who was granted immunity from prosecution, said he had the most contact with the defendant Esed Džananović, and that there were tensions and pressures at the beginning.

- In early March 2016, I was asked to send consent for Adem Mujagić, who was supposed to start working as a liquidator. I refused to implement that and informed the general director of ‘Elektroprivreda’ about it - said Karabegović.

He added that in April 2016, employment was sought for Amel Škaljo from Zenica for the position of lawyer, which the witness also refused, after which his father Omer came.

- He brought the documentation, considering it was done. I saw that the guy was from Zenica, and there are so many graduated lawyers in Bihać without jobs. I strictly fought against that - said the witness.

He also notes that, among other things, he was reproached for being the first in history to refuse to implement an order from the general director as well as the executive director for distribution, Džananović, for which he sought protection.

The witness also recounted that on July 14, 2016, he was taking consents for the hiring of eight employees who had applied for a competition to Džananović in Sarajevo, when his deputy Mirsad Bratić called him and told him that four more consents would be waiting for him in Sarajevo.

- Bratić told me that he had prepared them in agreement with Džananović, who also needed to give consent. Among those four was Mujagić, and if I refuse them, I won't get these eight who were hired through the competition either. After all, it is the director's right to hire directly, which is one of the methods - stated the witness.

The witness confirmed to the defense that he formed a commission that proposed Mujagić, and that he first told the director he would not accept him because the plan was to hire several people, but one person was being pushed.

- Nothing illegal was done regarding that issue - said the witness, adding that there were no illegalities in Džananović's work.

The defense also objected to the legality of Karabegović's immunity, and the witness said he did not even request it, but rather protection from the general director Bajazit Jašarević.

Witnesses Edina Hajrulahović and Merima Avdić said they got jobs in the Bihać “Elektrodistribucija” after submitting applications on July 14, were invited for interviews with other candidates, and 11 days later were appointed as professional associates.

The witnesses could not answer the question of how copies of their diplomas could be found with Senad Trako and data with Bibić, explaining that they do not know any of the defendants, nor did any of their family members contact the defendants.

Both witnesses told the defense that no quid pro quo was sought for their employment, as stated in the indictment.

We remind you that the indictment charges Amir Zukić, Safet Bibić, Nedžad and Senad Trako, and Ramiz Karavdić with associating for the purpose of committing criminal offenses related to receiving a reward or other form of benefit for influence peddling and illegal mediation.

The indictment states that during 2016, Zukić and Bibić organized a group joined by Nedžad and Senad Trako and Ramiz Karavdić, who found individuals willing to pay money for employment in branches of Elektrodistribucija, which belongs to JP Elektroprivreda BiH, and other institutions. After that, using their influence through Esed Džananović, then director of Elektrodistribucija who is charged with abuse of position, illegal employments were realized.

The same indictment charges Asim Sarajlić, vice president of the SDA, with receiving a reward or other form of benefit for influence peddling, while Zukić is also charged with illegal possession of weapons.

The trial continues on February 12.