Remand in custody proposed FOR suspects arrested within the operation codenamed "ALBATROS"

Following the questioning of the suspects, the Prosecutor of the Special Department for Organized Crime, Economic Crime and Corruption within the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH filed a motion with the Court of BiH for remand in custody of 7 persons suspected of the criminal offense of Organizing a group or an association for the purpose of perpetration of the criminal offences of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants under Article 189a (1) in conjunction with the criminal offense of Smuggling of Persons under Article 189 of the CC BiH.

Remand in custody is, inter alia, proposed on grounds provided in Article 132 (1) (b) and (c) of the BiH CPC i.e. due to risk of interfering with the investigation, concealing evidence or influencing witnesses or accomplices, and due to risk of committing a new criminal offense while at liberty or completing the commenced offense.

In the interest of the investigation the Prosecutor’s Office will not, at this stage, disclose the identity of the suspects.

The Prosecutor’s Office of BiH continues, together with partner agencies in BiH, with the intensive investigation in this case, aimed at detecting and prosecuting persons suspected of smuggling illegal migrants.