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Dragan Šojić case: Limits of authority exceeded

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  • Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dragan Šojić case: Limits of authority exceeded

Case Date(s)
01/2023
Case Updated
10/2024

Case Summary

Phase

2nd instance procedure

Offence

  • Abuse of functions
  • Embezzlement, misappropriation or other diversion of property by a public official

Sector

  • Other service activities

Institution

  • Service for Joint Affairs of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Involved people

Allegedly involved people Dragan Šojić Service for Joint Affairs of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dragan Šojić
Politically exposed
Yes
  • Embezzle or divert a public resource in return for private gain
  • Abuse of functions

The court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed an indictment against the director of the Service for Joint Affairs of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dragan Šojić, in January 2023. Šojić faced charges of misusing his position between 2018 and 2022, including the use of official vehicles for private purposes, breach of legal regulations, and obtaining financial benefits at the cost of the institution. In a first-instance verdict, issued in January 2024, Šojić was aquitted of the charges, but the appellate council revoked the decision of the first-instance court in October 2024.

In January 2023, the indictment of Dragan Šojić, director of the Service for Joint Affairs of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was confirmed. He was to face charges of misusing his position between 2018 and 2022, including the use of official vehicles for private purposes, breach of legal regulations and obtaining financial benefits at the cost of the institution, which is a grave criminal offence.

The indictment against the director of the Service for Joint Affairs of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dragan Šojić states that, in his official capacity, he exceeded the limits of his authority. Specifically, he allegedly misused government vehicles and maintained false travel records, which would be a violation of his official duties. This alleged misuse is said to have resulted in personal gain for Šojić, totalling KM41,877.78 (€21,416.66). The indictment claims that 1t the same time, it caused the same amount of financial damage to the budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Šojić allegedly misused government vehicles by using them to travel on non-working days and during his vacation to visit his family abroad and used an official vehicle for purposes that were not official. He was additionally accused of signing fictitious travel orders accused of signing fictitious travel orders.

On 5 January 2024, the court of Bosnia and Herzegovina pronounced a first-instance verdict and acquitted the accused of the charges. As the first-instance verdict is not legally-binding, a first complaint was filed by 7 March, requesting the court to reverse the judgement against Šojić. The appellate council of the court of Bosnia and Herzegovina revoked the first-instance verdict in October 2024, ordering a retrial.

The final outcome of the case is yet to be determined as it is still in progress. Šojić could eventually face legal consequences if he misused his official position and caused financial harm to the country's budget.

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Further details

JURISDICTION/COURT

State/Court of BiH (Sud BiH)

LAWS (ALLEGEDLY) BREACHED

Criminal Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Article 220, para 2, abuse of position or authority

FINAL SANCTION OR MEASURE

text here e.g.:

1 year imprisonment, fine, debarment, etc

UNCOVERING METHOD

Text, e.g.

Whistleblower

PROSECUTOR

Elvira Stanojlović

JUDGE

Biljana Ćuković

DEFENCE COUNSEL

Dragiša Jokić

SOCIAL HARM ON SDGs

16 Peace, justice and strong institutions

The indictment states that the accused, Dragan Šojić, while performing the duties of the director of the Service for Joint Affairs of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, exceeded the limits of his official authority, which relate to the use of official vehicles, in which way he obtained benefits to the amount of KM41,877.78 (€21,416.66) and damaged the budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the same amount.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this database. All information is believed to be correct as of 10/2024. Nevertheless, Transparency International cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts.

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