BUDIMIR: WE ARE AWARE OF THREATS POSED BY RADICAL GROUPS

BANJA LUKA, DECEMBER 16 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Minister of the Interior Željko Budimir told SRNA that the police of Srpska are taking measures to protect all citizens and are aware of the threats posed by extremist and radical religious groups in BiH.

Budimir said that there are currently no information or challenges that could be directly linked to the terrorist attack in Australia, but that caution is necessary given the large number of radicalized individuals and groups in BiH. "We know that there is a certain number of radicals in BiH, especially at this moment when they are returning from battlefields in the Middle East. The police of Republika Srpska are taking measures to protect all citizens. We are aware of the threats coming from these extremist and radical religious groups in BiH," Budimir emphasized. Responding to a question on whether Srpska should strengthen security measures ahead of the upcoming holidays in light of the recent terrorist attack in Australia during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, Budimir said that for now there is no need to do so, as the level of security had already been raised earlier due to the holidays. "We will assess the situation, that is something we do on a daily basis. We will also raise the level of security if necessary. For now, there is no need for that," Budimir said. He stressed that citizens of Srpska should not be concerned and that the police are doing their job.