Bosnian politician Fahrudin Radoncic, who was acquitted of all charges in a trial before the Bosnia's state court on Wednesday, told N1 that this case proved the state resources were wasted on "stupid framed indictments."
Radoncic, who claimed the charges against him were politically motivated, said he was grateful to all those who believed in his innocence.
The court rendered the first instance verdict on Wednesday, acquitting him of obstruction of justice charges. Along with a member of the House of Representatives of Bosnia's semi-autonomous Federation entity, Bilsena Sahman, former Security Ministry Secretary, Bakir Dautbasic, and former US Embassy employee, Zijad Hadzijahic, Radoncic was accused of the crimes in an indictment submitted on February 15, 2016.
According to Radoncic, who is a leader of a party represented in the state parliament, this process was an attempt to eliminate him from the political sphere. He refused to answer who framed him, saying that “we know the internal relations among Bosniaks, who resented who” and adding that this was a case for the independent judiciary.
Commenting on the current political developments in the country, particularly the alleged secessionist intentions of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and Bosnian Croat leader Dragan Covic, Radoncic replied that none of them ever mentioned this idea in front of him.
“He (Dodik) mentioned no secession. Covic never mentioned a third entity, I don’t know if he was bluffing, but he never mentioned in my presence a story of Croats wanting a third entity,” concluded Radoncic.
Speaking about his party’s former coalition partner, the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), Radoncic said if there was no serious correction within that party it would lead to its complete collapse.
In his opinion, there is no jeopardy that authorities will not be formed after the October election, saying that “the authority will happen, just like it does every time.”
Speaking about his own candidacy for the Bosniak seat at the Presidency, Radoncic told N1 it would not be wise to keep Dodik or Covic away from Sarajevo.
“I neither like Dodik nor Covic personally, but they are the best representatives of their peoples. Arguing with them only harms the Bosniaks and strengthens separatism,” Radoncic added.
Asked about the current Bosniak member of Bosnia's tripartite Presidency and SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic, he said that Izetbegovic stole from him twice, “like a professional.” Namely, Radoncic, who was a Presidency candidate lost to Izetbegovic twice, in 2010 and 2014.
“Izetbegovic is a brand because of his father, not because of his results in office. It's not a shame to lose to him. I wouldn’t comment losing to other candidates. I will wait for June 10th to decide on my candidacy for the 2018 election,” Radoncic concluded.
