MOST TERRORISM OFFENCES IN BiH WITHOUT COURT EPILOGUE - ALL PERPETRATORS ARE RADICAL ISLAMISTS

ZVORNIK, APRIL 25 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Minister of Interior Siniša Karan has said today in Zvornik that the judiciary plays a key role in the counter- terrorism, which should be adequately sanctioned, but unfortunately, the majority of terrorism acts in BiH remain without an adequate reaction, which is not good.

Karan said at the round table "Terrorism as a Form of Threat to Security" that no one was held accountable for the Zvornik terrorist attack which happened 10 years ago, that the suspects were released, and the Prosecution of BiH suspended the investigation. "For many years now, the security challenge in BiH has been a part of the Bosniak population’s commitment to the conservative Salafi approach to the interpretation of Islam, embodied through the presence and activity of the Wahhabi movement in BiH. When we talk about the strongholds of Wahhabism in BiH, we are primarily referring to parajamaats that were founded by supporters of the radical Salafi community in the Federation of BiH," said Karan. He pointed out that the analysis of all previous terrorist attacks in BiH found that their perpetrators were radical Islamists, members or sympathizers of Salafi-Wahhabi communities or members of the El Mujahideen detachment. "Turning a blind eye to this problem is not a solution for security. Especially when we know that with the development of global communications and modern technologies, terrorist activities have taken on new forms, including cyber terrorism, indoctrination through social networks and radicalization of individuals and groups," said Karan. He pointed out that one of the most dangerous challenges is the process of recruiting young people into terrorist and extremist groups, which could be seen best in Zvornik example, but also recently in the tragic event in Bosanska Krupa, when a fourteen-year-old juvenile attacked the police station, killing one policeman with a knife and injuring another. "The current political situation in BiH is also a challenge, where one side is consciously radicalizing the political narrative, thus encouraging the radicalization of individuals. We do not like returnees from foreign battlefields, mainly in the FBiH, as well as certain illegal migrants who are justifiably suspected of being connected to terrorist organisations in the countries they come from. Global events as well, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which led to additional polarization of society in BiH," said Karan. He said that one of the most serious threats to modern society is terrorism, and that, unfortunately, one of the most painful examples is the terrorist attack on the Zvornik Police Station that took place on April 27, 2015, when police officer Dragan Đurić lost his life, and two police officers were wounded. "That criminal act directed against police officers who performed their duty in the service of protecting citizens was a harsh reminder of the importance of the constant fight against terrorism and all forms of extremism. This event further intensified our activities through a strong and systematic response," Karan said. He pointed out that MoI members are extremely active in this field and are open to cooperation with those who are ready to cooperate, and reminded that recently information given by the Republika Srpska Police was the trigger for apprehensions and arrests in some European countries.