A group of citizens filed criminal complaint against four officials in Bosnia's Council of Ministers and the Government of the Federation (FBiH) entity for what they said was “abuse of office” which resulted in “uncontrolled spread of infectious disease, death of a large number of people, depriving the insurance users of their right to healthcare and collapse of the healthcare system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

The complaint was filed before the State Prosecutor's Office against Chairman of Council of Ministers Zoran Tegeltija, Bosnia's Civil Affairs Minister Ankica Gudeljevic, FBiH Prime Minister Fadil Novalic and FBiH Health Minister Vjekoslav Mandic.

Dr Bakir Nakas, Sarajevo's renowned medical expert, who on behalf of 24 citizens filed the complaint, said these officials are suspected of doing nothing in the period September 18, 2020 – March 18, 2021, regarding the procurement of vaccines for immunisation of citizens.

“If the Council of Ministers BiH and the FBiH Government failed to timely secure the vaccines for immunisation of citizens from Covid-19, then they obviously violated the right to life and health of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Nakas said, adding that according to laws, Bosnia's Civil Affairs Ministry and the FBiH Health Ministry are in charge of healthcare in the country i.e. the Federation, one of two Bosnia's semi-autonomous regions.

“There is no dilemma that the BiH Civil Affairs Minister and the FBiH Health Minister are responsible for the situation in the healthcare sector and this certainly includes the procurement of vaccines that would prevent the spread of the epidemic and protect the health of the population,” he said, noting that he has filed criminal complaint both as a citizen and a health worker.

He said he enjoyed the strong support of many citizens including doctors, lawyers and other intellectuals for this legal step, adding that all those willing to join them have a chance to do it now via media.

Those on whose behalf Nakas filed the complaint against the four officials include: Abdulah Sidran, Anto Domazet, Almir Kurt, Bojan Hadzihalilovic, Dino Mustafic, Esad Bajtal, Jasmin Durakovic, Maja Gasal-Vrazalica, Mehmed Kundurovic, Mirsad Djugum, iso Maric, Mustafa Demir, Natasa Gaon-Gruhjic, Nerzuk Curak, Ramiz Mehmedagic, Ranko Rihtman, Senad Pecanin, Senad Zaimovic, Slobodan Andric, Suad Kurtagic, Zlatko Dizdrevic, Zlatko Sose, Zvonimir Nikolic and Zarko Papic.