ILLEGAL ARMS PRODUCTION IN FBiH – PROCEEDINGS TO BE INITIATED AGAINST RESPONSIBLE PARTIES

SARAJEVO, JUNE 2 /SRNA/ – Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac stated today that weapons and dual-use equipment are being illegally produced at the Center for Advanced Technologies in Sarajevo, and that proceedings will be initiated against those responsible.

Košarac said that the Center for Advanced Technologies in Sarajevo does not have a permit to conduct such activities, yet six drones capable of various uses have already been produced. He explained that once authorization for production or trade is obtained, federal institutions are obliged to register with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations—something that was not done in this case, as the Center lacks a license for such operations. Košarac recalled that on November 20 last year, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations requested information from the FBiH Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry regarding the production and export of drones from BiH, but no response has been received to date. “Since the media continues to report on this issue, and Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers Zukan Helez has also spoken about it, I issued an order on May 19 for the Inspectorate within the Ministry to conduct an inspection of the Center for Advanced Technologies in Sarajevo,” said Košarac. He added that during the inspection, which was reportedly obstructed, it was found that the Center was established by Sarajevo Canton. Inspectors discovered six prototype unmanned aerial vehicles—four multirotor drones and two fixed-wing drones. Košarac, who is also the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, said all drones were operational and had been tested at the Betanija site, while the fixed-wing aircraft were tested at the sports airfield in Visoko. “According to the findings of the inspection, on August 8 last year, the Center for Advanced Technologies signed an agreement with the Ministry of Defense to participate in a project researching various dynamic systems for unmanned aircraft. The project is estimated at around BAM 20 million, and the drones are intended for the Ministry’s use,” Košarac explained. He emphasized that the center is not registered for the production of weapons or other related equipment. “This proves that illegal production of weapons and dual-use equipment is taking place in FBiH. Today, the chief inspector was instructed to initiate proceedings and submit a report to the competent authorities against individuals involved in the unlawful arms production in BiH. This is a serious scandal in FBiH,” Košarac underscored. Košarac assessed that Bosniaks still believe another Joe Biden will appear as US president to serve their political interests and claimed that political Sarajevo seems unwilling to engage with the current administration of President Donald Trump. “We are seeing clear policies from the Trump administration focused on the sovereignty of states without foreign interference,” Košarac said after the session of the Council of Ministers.