Leader of Bosnia's Muslim-Croat federation indicted for abuse of power
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 November 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Leader of Bosnia's Muslim-Croat federation indicted for abuse of power, 28 November 2013, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/52e6595c14.html [accessed 25 September 2016] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 28, 2013
Zivko Budimir (facing camera, embracing a well-wisher after his release from prison in Mostar in May) and six other people are accused of arranging the pardons of 27 people without appropriate legal reasons to do so.
The president of the Muslim-Croat federation, one of the autonomous regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina, has been indicted on charges of abuse of office.
Zivko Budimir is the highest-ranking Bosnian official to face such charges.
Budimir, who is an ethnic Croat, and six other people are accused of arranging the pardons of 27 people without appropriate legal reasons to do so.
Prosecutors said some of those pardoned had been sentenced for serious crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, and tax evasion.
Budimir, who has denied wrongdoing, was detained in April and spent time in custody before being released.
Since the end of the 1992-95 Bosnian war, the country has been divided into two semi-independent entities, the Bosnian Serb-run Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croat federation.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
