Azhar Kalamujic, a journalist from CIN, discussed the illegal logging, construction, and permit issuance for apartment buildings in Trnovo on N1’s Novi Dan. His investigation, which preceded official probes, uncovered numerous unlawful activities in the Trnovo municipality.

Recently, Trnovo Mayor Ibro Berilo was arrested and chose to remain silent during questioning, accompanied by his lawyer.

“I received information about extensive illegal logging. We visited the site and found around 40-50 dunums of forest had been cleared, roughly equivalent to 6-7 football fields. Illegal construction has already started there,” Kalamujic reported.

He revealed that the municipality sold expropriated state land to private companies at prices 50 times higher than the purchase cost. This land was then used for constructing apartment buildings, allegedly facilitated by Mayor Berilo.

“The municipality bought land from Sarajevosume for 2.50 to 3 KM per square meter and sold it for 115 KM, generating over 20 million KM from land purchased for around 780,000 KM. Where was this money spent?” questioned Kalamujic.

Kalamujic's investigation was validated by the inspection: “The forest is gone. The inspection confirmed my findings. Giving officials two terms to prove their capability seems reasonable.”

Regarding Mayor Berilo’s assets, Kalamujic noted: “Berilo was transparent about his assets. He acquired significant property in Trnovo and is one of the wealthier individuals in the area. The investigation aims to prove the expropriation was illegal.”

Kalamujic also commented on Ibrahim Hadzibajric, arrested in May last year: “Hadzibajric’s family collected parking fees. It appears two apartments were reserved for him and an associate as compensation for allowing certain constructions. His career seems over.”

Kalamujic's revelations highlight the pervasive corruption and abuse of power among local politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina.