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The Case of Dženan Memić: A Long Quest for Justice and Unanswered Questions

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  • Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Case of Dženan Memić: A Long Quest for Justice and Unanswered Questions

Case Date(s)
08/2024
Case Updated
11/2024

Case Summary

Phase

Enforcement

Offence

  • Obstruction of justice

Sector

  • Other service activities

Involved people

Allegedly involved people Zijad Mutap
Zijad Mutap
Politically exposed
No
  • ​​Tampered with judicial evidence or witnesses​

The case of Dženan Memić, a young man who died in Sarajevo in 2016 under mysterious circumstances, has remained a source of controversy and unanswered questions. Despite years of legal battles, accusations of cover-ups, and a series of inconsistent rulings, the true cause of his death and those responsible for his injuries have yet to be determined, sparking public distrust in Bosnia's judicial system.

Dženan Memić was found with severe head injuries in February 2016, in the Ilidža area of Sarajevo. The 22-year-old man succumbed to injuries a week later. Initially, authorities claimed he was injured in a traffic accident, but his family contested this explanation, alleging foul play. The case took a dramatic turn when evidence suggested that the investigation had been manipulated to conceal the true circumstances of Memić's death.

The subsequent legal proceedings against the accused Zijad Mutap, his daughter Alisa Ramić, police officers Hasan Dupovac and Josip Barić and hotel receptionist Muamer Ožegović unfolded over several years, culminating in a controversial verdict in July 2023.

In July 2021, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed the indictment against Zijad Mutap and others, accusing them of organized crime, obstruction of justice and providing false statements. At a plea hearing on August 25, 2021, all defendants pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors alleged that Zijad Mutap orchestrated a cover-up involving his daughter Alisa and several others to manipulate evidence and mislead authorities about the cause of Memić's injuries. The group was accused of falsifying reports, tampering with video surveillance, and misleading investigators. However, the prosecution could not establish the exact circumstances of Memić's death, leading to conflicting court rulings.

The main trial began in October 2021. The first-instance verdict acquitted all accused due to insufficient evidence. In a second-instance trial, Alisa Ramić and Hasan Dupovac were convicted in 2023. Alisa received a 2.5-year prison sentence for providing false testimony, while Dupovac was sentenced to three years for abuse of power. The final ruling, issued in July 2023, upheld Alisa Ramić's prison sentence but acquitted others, including her father.

The inconsistent legal outcomes and the inability to determine Memić's cause of death have fuelled distrust in Bosnia's judicial system.

Despite the convictions, the central mystery remains unsolved: How did Dženan Memić sustain fatal injuries, and who was responsible? The case highlights serious concerns about judicial transparency and the rule of law.

Dženan Memić's family continues to insist that he was murdered and that certain individuals within the judicial and police system have protected those responsible by steering previous investigation in the wrong direction.

In February 2025, ahead of the ninth anniversary of the young man's death, the circumstances surrounding the death of Dženan Memić once again came under police scrutiny. The Federal Police Administration has taken over the investigation into the case.

Further details

JURISDICTION/COURT

State/Court of BiH (Sud BiH)

LAWS (ALLEGEDLY) BREACHED

Criminal Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina in connection with Criminal Law of FBiH

FINAL SANCTION OR MEASURE

Zijad Mutap - Acquittal

Alisa Ramić – prison sentence of 2 years and six months

Hasan Dupovac - Acquittal

Josip Barić- Acquittal

Muamer Ožegović- Acquittal

UNCOVERING METHOD

Police

PROSECUTOR

Ćazim Hasanspahić and Dubravko Čampara

JUDGE

Judge for preliminary hearing: Mirsad Strika

Acting court panel in first-instance proceedings: Branko Perić, Nenad Šeleda, Izo Tankić

Acting court panel in second instance proceedings: Staniša Gluhajić, Azra Miletić, Amela Huskić

Acting court panel in third instance proceedings: Hilmo Vučinić, Darko Samardžić + one

SOCIAL HARM ON SDGs

16 Peace, justice and strong institutions

The social damage caused by hiding evidence and hindering the investigation in the case of Dženan Memić was very extensive. The interference with justice and hiding of crucial evidence potentially affected public confidence in the judicial system and attracted heightened media and societal attention. At certain points, politicians leveraged the case for their election campaigns.

It indicated possible erosion of citizens' trust in the justice system and raised concerns about security. Such situations can risk destabilizing social cohesion and may impact efforts to fight corruption and organized crime.

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 11/2024. Nevertheless, Transparency International cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts.

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