Opposition Demands Resignation of Bosnian Federation PM

The opposition in parliament in Bosnia's Federation entity has called for the dismissal of the government led by caretaker Prime Minister Fadil Novalic, who was detained for three days as a suspect in an investigation into the purchase of allegedly overpriced Chinese respirators.

Novalic, from the main Bosniak Party of Democratic Action, SDA, showed up for work on Monday after the State Court released him on Sunday, together with two other persons that were also detained and released with him.

A state court document seen by BIRN shows that it rejected the state prosecutor's demand for a month's detention as it found that the investigation could continue with the release of the three suspects.

However, the court has barred them from meeting any potential witnesses that include Novalic's secretary or his first deputy, Finance Minister Jelka Milicevic, from the SDA's Bosnian Croat coalition partner, the Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ.

"The court established that … there exists enough evidence that confirms the existence of reasonable doubt that the suspects committed the said criminal acts," the document said.

A letter signed by more than 20 opposition deputies from six parties in the 98-seat Federation entity parliament, requesting a no-confidence motion in the government, said they felt obliged to act.

"Having in mind that moral and social responsibility has been lacking, and that those who are responsible have not offered their resignations, it is our duty to initiate this process," the letter said.

The Prime Minister was detained on Thursday by the state law enforcement agency SIPA together with Fahrudin Solak, the suspended head of the Civil Protection, and Fikret Hodzic, a TV host who owns the Silver Raspberry (Srebrna...