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Public office inspectors charged with bribery to forego inspections

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  • Bosnia and Herzegovina

Public office inspectors charged with bribery to forego inspections

Case Date(s)
02/2022
Case Updated
11/2023

Case Summary

Phase

1st instance procedure

Offence

  • Trading in influence
  • Abuse of functions
  • Bribery of public officials

Sector

  • Public administration and defense; compulsory social security
  • Other service activities

Institution

  • Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs

Involved people

Allegedly involved people Mirza Ademaj Inspector of the federal administration for inspection affairs
Mirza Ademaj
Politically exposed
No
  • Abuse of functions
  • Bribery of public officials
  • Trading in influence
Allegedly involved people Enes Zijadić Employee of a private company ZI-2B d.o.o
Enes Zijadić
Politically exposed
No
  • Bribery of public officials
Allegedly involved people Alzira Hota Inspector of the federal administration for inspection affairs
Alzira Hota
Politically exposed
No
  • Abuse of functions
  • Trading in influence
Allegedly involved people Edina Busuladžić Inspector of the federal administration for inspection affairs
Edina Busuladžić
Politically exposed
No
  • Abuse of functions
  • Trading in influence

The corruption case involving Mirza Ademaj and others from the federal administration for inspection affairs (FUZIP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina revolves around bribery, abuse of office and falsification of inspection reports to exempt businesses from regulatory oversight.

The indictment against the three inspectors of the Bosnia and Herzegovina’s federal directorate for inspection affairs, Mirza Ademaj, Alzira Hota and Edina Busuladžić, and an intermediary Enes Zijadić, charges them with involvement in bribery, influence peddling and abuse of office in relation to inspection supervision. The inspector Edina Busuladžić was additionally charged with possession and facilitations of consumption of narcotics.

The case was uncovered through an investigation led by the federal police administration (FUP), which implemented special investigative measures, including electronic surveillance and monitoring of communications. The investigation revealed that Ademaj and his associates falsified inspection reports without conducting actual field visits. Instead, business owners provided the required documents via the Viber application, with Zijadić acting as an intermediary. In exchange for bribes of BAM200 to BAM300 KM (€100 to €150), they ensured businesses would not undergo inspections for extended periods.

Mirza Ademaj, a market inspector, was accused of receiving rewards and other forms of benefits for influence peddling. Enes Zijadić, a merchant, is accused of mediating corrupt actions with inspectors to avoid legal sanctions. For monetary gain, Ademaj compiled false inspection reports without carrying out on-site supervision, using only documentation provided by Zijadić. In this way, Ademaj directly violated several legal regulations. Alzira Hota and Edina Busuladžić, also inspectors, were charged with failing to appropriately document the facts about their inspection supervision of multiple legal entities. They were accused of abuse of position when, during an inspection of a Sarajevo perfumery, they appropriated perfumes and nail polishes without the owner's consent and without making a report. In addition, Busuladžić was charged with possession of the narcotic drug amphetamine.

The trial encountered delays due to procedural issues. In March 2023, a court hearing was postponed due to the illness of one of the defendants. Later, in May 2023, the defence claimed they had not received copies of wiretapped conversations, which led to another postponement.

In May 2023, Enes Zijadić pleaded guilty to charges of receiving a reward or other benefits for trading in influence. As a result, his case was separated from the others, while proceedings against Ademaj, Hota and Busuladžić continued. However, following the change of the judge and prosecution, the trial of Ademaj, Hota and Busuladžić started again in November 2023.

Further details

JURISDICTION/COURT

Municipal court of Sarajevo

LAWS (ALLEGEDLY) BREACHED

Criminal law of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Receiving reward or other benefit for trade in influence, Article 382, para 2, para 3 in relation to para 2;

Receiving award or other benefits, Article 380, para 1;

Abuse of office or authority, Article 383, para 1;

Possessing and enabling consumption of narcotics, Article 239, para 3.

UNCOVERING METHOD

Police

PROSECUTOR

Feđa FejzagićJovo Karić (in the restarted trial)

JUDGE

Dragan Vukajlović Jovana Vidić (in the restarted trial)

DEFENCE COUNSEL

Mirza Ademaj – Zlatko Ibrišimović
Enes Zijadić – Selman Zijadić
Edina Busuladžić – Adna Dobojlić

SOCIAL HARM ON SDGs

16 Peace, justice and strong institutions

The social harm caused by this case is reflected in the destruction of public trust in state institutions, especially in inspection services that are responsible for compliance with laws and regulations. The accused inspectors, by taking bribes and compiling false inspection reports without real supervision, directly undermined the integrity and efficiency of inspection supervision, which can lead to serious consequences for the health and safety of citizens, as well as economic damage due to non-compliance with regulations.

The quantified damage includes a bribe taken from the second defendant, which represents direct financial benefit gained from illegal actions, and also implies potential additional costs for the state in terms of remediation of the consequences of inadequate inspection supervision.

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 11/2023. Nevertheless, Transparency International cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts.

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