Zukić and others: Witness signed the minutes on employment at Elektrodistribucija out of fear

SARAJevo, (Patria) - In the trial for abuses during employment in public companies, a witness for the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office in Sarajevo explained that they signed the minutes on employment out of fear of losing their job, writes Birn.

Ernad Hajdarević, head of the economic relations sector at Sarajevo's "Elektrodistribucija" and a witness granted immunity, stated that he was a member of the employment commission on March 14, 2016.

- My female colleagues informed me about it and said that the then director of the "Elektrodistribucija" branch, Mirsad Brajlović, had issued an order and names for six candidates who were to be checked. They also said they refused because the documentation was incomplete - said the witness.

Brajlović was supposed to remain in the director's position for another ten days during that period, according to the witness, but they had to carry out his order, which is why they made minutes stating that the report for the candidate's employment was prepared on Brajlović's order.

Prosecutor Nermina Kulenović presented the witness with a document stating that the commission members were forced to accept the order out of fear of losing their jobs, and Hajdarević confirmed its authenticity.

- I learned from my colleagues that Brajlović said it was Esed Džananović's order - added the witness, explaining that the commission's task was to review the documentation for the candidates and submit it to the branch director.

The witness also said that the handover of positions soon followed, after which the new director, Haris Trnka, was angry about why the employment was carried out, and Brajlović's justification was that he had to do it.

In addition to Amir Zukić, the Secretary General of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), the indictment charges Safet Bibić, Nedžad and Senad Traka, Ramiz Karavdić, Esed Džananović, and Asim Sarajlić with illegal mediation in employment in public companies.

When asked by Džananović's defense attorney Vasvija Vidović, the witness stated that the minutes drafted by the commission members were not protocolled and that it was an internal document.

- There was a director, and we had to act on his order. If we don't, he can give us a disciplinary measure, and he had the right to direct employment - said Hajdarević.

The trial continues on March 5.