Zukić sentenced to three years in prison for illegal employment, Asim Sarajlić acquitted

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Former SDA Secretary General Amir Zukić was convicted today by the Municipal Court in Sarajevo to three years in prison for illegal employment, ending the court proceedings in the case "Bosna". The verdict was read by judge Tanja Curović, who noted that the court proceedings had been lengthy due to the inability to hold hearings and comply with epidemiological measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Municipal Court in Sarajevo also found former Elektroprivreda BiH executive director Esed Džananović guilty and sentenced him to 3 years in prison on the same charges.

Safet Bibić was sentenced to six years in prison on multiple counts of the indictment.

Senad Trako and Ramiz Karavdić were found guilty. Trako received a year and a half in prison, and Karavdić received two years in prison.

High-ranking SDA official and delegate in the State Parliament Asim Sarajlić was acquitted of the charges, as was Nedžad Trako.

On one count of the indictment, Zukić and Džananović were also acquitted along with Sarajlić.

Zukić, Džananović, Bibić, Senad and Nedžad Trako, Ramiz Karavdić, and Asim Sarajlić were accused of illegal mediation in employment, abuse of office, and accepting rewards or other benefits for trading in influence. They were convicted in a non-final verdict because in 2016 they organized a group through which they found individuals willing to pay money for employment at Elektroprivreda BiH, after which Amir Zukić, using his influence through Esed Džananović, facilitated illegal hirings in this company.

They have the right to appeal the verdict to the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo.

The time spent in custody will be included in the imposed sentence.