Three New International Prosecutors
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Milorad Barasin, Chief State Prosecutor, told BIRN Justice Report that the situation might change soon.
Prosecutor Barasin announced that a Bosnian citizen would perform the function of Chief of War Crimes Section in the future. Until recently US Prosecutor David Schwendiman was the head of this Section.
As many as three new international prosecutors are due to be employed soon.
“A job advertisement was published for the new colleagues. Their selection and appointment will be done by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Barasin said.
“International prosecutors can no longer be chiefs of any departments. The departments will be led by local prosecutors, who will be selected by the Chief State Prosecutor. Those people will, at the same time, be the Chief State Prosecutor’s deputies. This is how the law prescribes it,” Barasin said.
Barasin spoke about the decision made by David Schwendiman to cancel the investigation in two cases. The decision, which was in contradiction to the Prosecution’s usual practice, was made public last week.
As per the decision, the investigation was cancelled in the case against Selim Beslagic, wartime Mayor of Tuzla and six other individuals, who were charged with the attack on the Yugoslav National Army, JNA, convoy, and Vahid Alagic, Faik Spago and Zijo Landza, who were suspected of the murder of 48 Serbs in Bradina and Glavaticevo villages.
Barasin did not want to comment on David Schwendiman’s decision, but he said that the final decision on canceling these investigations would depend on Barasin himself, as Chief Prosecutor.
“If a de jure remedy will be sought, I will render the decision. I do not want to give any comments, because my comments would affect the validity of the decision I will eventually make,” Barasin said.
You can read about the actions undertaken by the State Prosecution following the High Representative’s Decision pertaining to the mandate of international prosecutors, the implementation of the State War Crimes Processing Strategy and the future plans of the highest prosecutorial institution on Friday, December 25, when the full text of the interview with the Chief Prosecutor will be published at our webpage: www.bim.ba
