European Union's (EU) office and EU heads of mission in Bosnia urged the local authorities to “duly investigate” and bring before the competent courts the charges for “any suspected misuse of funds in relation to public procurement, including during the response to Covid-19 pandemic.”
The statement comes amid the investigation into controversial procurement of Chinese ventilators involving top officials of Bosniak-Croat Federation (FBiH) entity and local businessman, who were released on Sunday following a nightlong interrogation before the Bosnian State Court.
Related news
“We expect all authorities to conduct effective investigations, fully in line with fair trial guarantees, based on the principles of rule of law as a key EU value and free from any political pressure or influence. The independence of prosecutors and judges remains essential and must be ensured. Threats and pressures against police and prosecutors are unacceptable,” said the EU's representatives in Bosnia, calling on the State Parliament to align the legislation on public procurement with relevant EU acquis “without further delay.”
They recalled this was the country's obligation set in the European Commission's Opinion on Bosnia's EU membership application.
