TI BiH filed a lawsuit against the RS Ministry of the Interior for hiding the information related to the use of force in Banja Luka

The lawsuit specifically emphasizes that the reports on the use of force are related to the numerous statements given by the citizens and the activists who publicly stated that the excessive force was used against them, and that several cases concerning the work of the RS Police have been initiated with the Ombudsman.

Banjaluka, 1st March 2019 – Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) filed a lawsuit against the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior (RS MIA) for failing to submit the reports of the police officers referring to the use of force on days when citizens gathered in Banja Luka to protest against police brutality and to support the family of the murdered student David Dragicevic. Late last year, numerous videos showing police officers applying force against the citizens of Banja Luka were released publicly, which is why TI BiH already submitted a criminal complaint to the District Public Prosecutor’s Office in Banja Luka.

The Ministry of the Interior brought a decision to refuse the access to information, and it also claimed that there was no public interest that can justify the public insight into the police reports related to the use of force, in spite of the fact that critical events were reported by numerous local, regional and world media. In its lawsuit, TI BiH particularly pointed out that the potential initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the police officers depends on the reports concerning the use of force, and that in circumstances of intensified criticism of the work of RS Police and RS MIA, it is in interest of the Ministry itself to publish all reports.

The lawsuit specifically emphasizes that the reports on the use of force are related to the numerous statements given by the citizens and the activists who publicly stated that the excessive force was used against them, and that several cases concerning the work of the RS Police have been initiated with the Ombudsman. Banja Luka protests were closely followed throughout the country, so several cities in the country and the region also organized gatherings to support the citizens of Banja Luka. TI BiH states that December events in Banja Luka must be investigated in order to sanction all officers who exceeded their powers, and that the public has the right to examine the work of the Police since the law recognizes it as one of direct controllers of police work.

Press rls 01.03.2019.e.