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Legal developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States
Bego Gutić, the former mayor of Banovići and a candidate for the SDA party, has been acquitted of all charges by a court in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Tuzla Canton Prosecution had accused him of various offenses between 2020 and 2023, including political interference in the Banovići Coal Mine and attempting to influence local council members through illegal offers. However, the court declared all key prosecution evidence illegal before the trial began and rejected witness testimonies. The prosecution is expected to appeal this first-instance verdict.
In a separate legal matter, Miran Koštić, a former high-ranking official in the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Idaho, USA. Koštić is accused of naturalization fraud and making false statements to federal investigators. Prosecutors allege he concealed a history of war crimes, including the physical abuse of prisoners, while applying for U.S. citizenship. Koštić faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count of attempted fraud.
Entities
Bego Gutić · Miran Koštić · Sda · Tuzla Canton Prosecution · United States Department of Justice
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Miran Koštić is charged with naturalization fraud in the US. otvoreno.ba
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Tuzla Canton Prosecution is expected to appeal the verdict. zosradio.ba · novi.ba
- [● 2 SOURCES] Bego Gutić was acquitted of all charges. zosradio.ba · novi.ba
- [● 2 SOURCES] The court declared key prosecution evidence illegal. zosradio.ba · novi.ba
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Koštić faces up to 10 years in prison for each count. otvoreno.ba