MOSTAR POLICEMEN ROB TURKISH TOURISTS

MOSTAR, Aug 18 (Hina) - A uniformed police officer from Mostar and two colleagues robbed three Turkish tourists near Jablanica on Tuesday, stealing their entire baggage and DM6,600, a spokesman for the United Nations Mission to southern Bosnia-Herzegovina told reporters in Mostar on Wednesday. The three suspects were arrested by the Mostar crime police the same day, UN Mission spokesman Stefo Lehmann told reporters, adding they will be suspended immediately. According to Lehmann, the incident took place in Glogosnica near Jablanica, 40km north of Mostar, when the Turks, after accepting the uniformed police officer's offer to drive them to Sarajevo, were forced out of the car and robbed. Lehmann also spoke about a meeting of senior border and crime police officials from 14 different police stations in southern Bosnia, from both entities, who met in Mostar yesterday. The meeting was organised by the International Police Task Force and discussed the prevention of increased smuggling and organised crime, Lehmann said. The police officials exchanged information on locations and strategies used by the culprits, he concluded. (hina) ha