In May 2021, Kemal Čaušević, the former director of the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina, received a prison sentence in a first-instance verdict for accepting bribes in relation to textile import and for money laundering. While the appellate council annulled the money laundering part of the first-instance verdict, it increased the sentence for bribery, and Čaušević started to serve his five-and-a-half-year prison sentence in May 2024.

Čaušević was arrested in a major police raid known as Pandora in June 2014, along with 53 other people, but his trial began only in 2017. According to the first-instance verdict, Čaušević promised preferential treatment to two textile importers in exchange for bribes, and reportedly received at least BAM1.7 million (app. €870,000) between 2007 and 2011. These bribes enabled the importers to pay lower customs taxes, avoid detailed checks of their trucks and have their invoices accepted by the authorities even though they had incorrect data. Čaušević then reportedly used the bribe money to purchase various properties, including apartments and office spaces, worth over BAM1 million (app. €500,000). These properties as well as BAM575,000 (app. €290,000) were confiscated from Čaušević. He was acquitted on the third count, related to the accusation of abuse of official position for enabling the company Glas Srpski – Grafika A.D. Banja Luka to get an unlawful property benefit to the amount of BAM200,000 (app. €100,000).

In October 2022, the appellate council of the court of Bosnia and Herzegovina partially annulled the first-instance verdict by cancelling the money laundering part of the verdict, but confirmed and increased the sentence for accepting bribes, from the original four to five-and-a-half years in prison. The trial was renewed for the part of the indictment that related to money laundering and confiscation of property benefits. The appellate council acquitted Čaušević of charges of money laundering as it was not proven that he used the bribery money to purchase the properties. However, the council ruled to confiscate the illegally acquired benefits amounting to BAM1.7 million (app. €870,000). In addition, a temporary measure was adopted prohibiting the disposal of eight properties until he returns the illegally acquired BAM1.7 million. As he failed to pay the amount within the deadline, the state initiated a forcible collection that may include selling the properties. However, the court cases, launched against Čaušević by his family members who claim that part of his blocked property belongs to them, may make this process more difficult.

In May 2024, Kemal Čaušević his prison sentence, despite his previous requests for delay. This case points to serious corruption risks in some of the key public-sector institutions, that are responsible for tax collection and may further undermine public trust in institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This case points to serious corruption risks in some of the key public-sector institutions, that are responsible for tax collection and may further undermine public trust in institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.