The highest number of cases of corruption recorded, SIPA reduced interventions?!

The latest data of BH Ministry of Security proves that corruption has nested itself into every pore of Bosnian society. When it comes to numbers of registered cases, corruption was at its peak last year.

- Widely present corruption activities and systemic corruption represent a particularly big threat to BiH. Corruption activities do not only include mere attempts to secure some unfitting benefit, but they almost always end up with a success for those who initiate corruption and with adequate incentive for those who helped the initiators in illegal manner, Ministry of Security states.

During 2015, BH police agencies registered a total of 723 criminal acts in relation to corruption, which compared to the year before (623) represents an increase of the criminal activity by 16%.

- Abuse of position of authority or authorization in economy prevail as the most common acts of corruption in BiH. In 2015, a total of 277 such acts were recorded, the report of the Ministry says.

And while evident that corruption in BiH is on the rise, statistics show that the State Agency of Investigation and Protection (SIPA) last year was less active as regards corruption.

SIPA undertook 13 operational actions, which is by 7% less than in 2014. A total of 61 persons were arrested in those actions, which is less than in 2014 when 66 persons were arrested, the reports says.

The report warns about links between corruption and organized crime, which is one of the most dominant factors that undermines further development and economic stability of BiH.

It seems that protagonists of corruption are more careful, at least that is what the report says.

- A significantly greater caution of the acters has been noticed, particularly due to a much stronger media campaign that is being undertaken against this phenomenon, the ministry report underlines.

BH Intelligence and Security Agency (OSA) has acquired data on several occasions about receiving of big amounts of money by some persons of authority employed by ministries and other public companies, in relation to various licenses and documentation required for regular work of private companies, as well as receiving bribe in relation to public tenders, and even paying bills!

- Despite of several legal actions started against persons who abused their position of authority, criminals continue to illegally transport various goods across state border with the help from border officials. Bribery is received by border employees at each side of the border, which allows goods to be moved across without any check. This allows for transport of drugs, weapons and other forbidden goods, the report says.

Cases of corruption in the inspection bodies that are supposed to protect health of BH citizens are of particular security concern. That allows for import of certain products which do not meet prescribed standards and could seriously damage health.