Representatives of the European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF, performed official activities in the premises of the Public Company Highway of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was confirmed by this company.
As stated in the announcement, the activities were carried out to collect documentation related to individual projects on Corridor 5C and public procurement procedures carried out according to international procedures from 2018 to 2022.
Autocest FBiH claims that they made available to OLAF from the beginning the requested contracts, annexes, technical and financial documentation, electronic communication and access to the company’s information systems.
They denied media reports that OLAF officials took laptops, computers, disks, printers or paper cutters from the premises, stating that such information is speculation.
The FBiH Highway Administration said that it supports the implementation of legal and independent investigations, because it believes that only by analyzing complete documentation can the facts and eventual responsibility be established in the implementation of large infrastructure projects.
The company stated that they understand the concerns of citizens due to the information that has appeared in the public in recent months, but that they believe that the procedures led by OLAF, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, domestic prosecutors’ offices and other competent institutions can contribute to clarifying all disputed circumstances.
They added that the problems and possible irregularities that have arisen over a long period cannot be solved in one move, but that the current administration is determined to establish a system in which legality, transparency, expertise and public interest will have priority.
It was also emphasized that Autoceste FBiH will continue to implement a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption, abuse of official position and other forms of illegal activity.
At the same time, the company called on the media and other participants in the public space to respect the presumption of innocence and to take into account complete documentation, expert opinions and approvals from international financial institutions when reporting.
“JP Autoceste FBiH has nothing to hide. Our answer is not media polemics, but facts, official documentation and full cooperation with all relevant institutions”, the statement concluded, reports RTV Slon.
