MOSTAR, Nov 8 (Hina) - The Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina has launched a comprehensive action aimed at the prevention of crime in the customs administration, and so far charges have been pressed against six customs officers, and
disciplinary procedure has been initiated against another 76 officers, the newly-appointed director of the customs administration in the Bosnian Croat-Muslim entity said on Friday.
MOSTAR, Nov 8 (Hina) - The Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina has
launched a comprehensive action aimed at the prevention of crime in
the customs administration, and so far charges have been pressed
against six customs officers, and disciplinary procedure has been
initiated against another 76 officers, the newly-appointed
director of the customs administration in the Bosnian Croat-Muslim
entity said on Friday. #L#
Director Zelimir Rebac said about 150 million euros were annually
embezzled from the federal budget owing to non-payment of customs
tariffs.
"The main culprit is the Federal Customs Administration, as some of
its officials have worked for the interests of various lobbies,"
Rebac told Hina.
He added that such corruption would not be possible without
"political sponsorship".
The international community's High Representative to Sarajevo,
Paddy Ashdown, has recently announced that the reform of the
customs system in Bosnia will be of crucial importance in the future
reforms in the country.
(hina) ms sb