Fmr care home Director and senior official remanded in custody following fatal Tuzla fire

The detention order follows a request from prosecutors based on reasonable suspicion that the pair, acting as accomplices, committed "serious criminal offences against the general safety of people and property" in connection with "causing general danger." Bakalovic faces an additional charge of "abuse of office or authority."

The prosecution alleges that between February 2024 and 4 November 2025, the officials knowingly failed to implement mandatory fire protection and safety measures for residents. These systemic failures reportedly endangered a large number of individuals. On 4 November, 2025, a fire broke out in a resident's room, resulting in multiple fatalities and leaving more than 50 people injured.

In ordering the detention under the Criminal Procedure Code of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Court cited the extraordinary circumstances and the gravity of the offences. The ruling highlighted that the incident occurred in a public institution of significant social importance, which housed approximately 180 elderly residents.

The Court concluded that the severity of the consequences and the intense public outcry meant that releasing the suspects could pose a genuine threat to public order.