The US Department of State imposed sanctions against the former head of Bosnia’s top judicial institution, Milan Tegeltija, as well as the Bosnian lawmaker Mirsad Kukic “due to their involvement in significant corruption,” barring them from entering the United States.

“Their actions undermined the rule of law, the public’s faith in their government’s democratic institutions and public processes, and peace and prosperity for BiH’s citizens,” the US State Department said.

Tegeltija, who resigned from the post of President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in late 2020, was according to the statement “involved in corrupt acts that included using his political influence and official power for his personal benefit.”

“Specifically, there is credible information that Tegeltija used his position to solicit a benefit in return for interfering in a judicial process as well as manipulating judicial appointments and other public employment,” it said.

As for Kukic, the MP, who was the manager of the publicly owned Banovici mine was “involved in corrupt acts that used his political influence and official power for his personal benefit.”

“Specifically, there is credible information Kukic misappropriated public funds for personal benefit and interfered in hiring and appointment decisions to benefit himself politically,” the statement said.

Tegeltija’s wife, Tijana Tegeltija, was also added to the list and is barred from entering the US.