MEETING OF THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR EXPANDED COLLEGIUM
| Banja Luka | Friday, 10/02/2023
The meeting of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior expanded collegium was held today in Banja Luka. The main conclusion was that the state of security in the territory of Republic of Srpska was satisfactory, as shown by all indicators and analyses related to security and operations of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior.
Minister Karan said that the total number of criminal offences recorded in 2022 had decreased, compared to last year, and that the crime detection rate had increased. He stated that the number of general criminal offences decreased, while the number of high-tech criminal offences, which were solved as a result of dedicated police work, increased. He particularly emphasised the results of the work of police officers in the fight against organised and serious crime, and emphasised that it was necessary to make an additional effort in future in the fight against the abuse of narcotic drugs.
Minister Karan emphasised that the Ministry was continuously working on the improvement and additional training of personnel and raising awareness on professional responsibility and behaviour, and that all recognised abuse of powers by members of the Ministry would be immediately sanctioned. He also pointed out that he would request more severe sanctions and reactions of judicial authorities to attacks on police officers.
Director Kostrešević stated that in 2022, 10 murders were recorded in the territory of the Republic of Srpska, two of which remained unsolved. He stated that the murder of a police officer Radenko Bašić was a kind of attempt to attack the police, and he pointed out that the police managed to solve this murder and that they showed preparation and ability to fight against organised crime.
Referring to the high-tech crime, director Kostrešević stated that 146 reports were submitted against 155 persons based on suspicion that they committed a total of 163 criminal offences by using information technologies.
Director Kostrešević pointed out that during 2022, 4,136 cases of disturbing public peace and order were recorded in which 5,271 persons committed 5,228 minor offences.
Referring to illegal migration through the territory of the Republic of Srpska, the director said that police officers were undertaking a series of activities in accordance with the conclusions of the Republic of Srpska Government. He stated that the Republic of Srpska continued to provide assistance to the BiH Border Police in the defence of the eastern border, as well as activities related to the control of the movement of migrants through the Republic of Srpska. In this respect, police officers found and recorded 4,727 migrants who illegally crossed the BiH border in 2022, which is 17.8% less than in 2021.
Director Kostrešević stated that there are no positive results in the area of traffic safety, considering that 100 people died on the roads of Srpska in 2022.
‘’Numbers are decreasing, but we have to be disappointed when we analyse all the activities that the police undertake in that field and citizens’ behaviour, i.e. road users," concluded director Kostrešević, adding that in 2022, 18,100 drivers were excluded from traffic for driving under the influence of alcohol.
