Police Officer of the Administration police Cantonal Ministry of Interior Sarajevo Amar Turčalo was arrested on reasonable suspicion that he had sexual relations with a minor in October of this year. As part of the same action, another police officer was detained and released after questioning, because there was no evidence for him to be detained.
Turčal was sentenced to one month's detention due to the danger that he could repeat the crime if he was released and because of public disturbance.
Fatmir Hajdarević, police commissioner of MUP of Sarajevo Canton, announced the details of the arrest of two police officers. He explained that the arrested Amar Turchalo is suspected of having sexual relations with a minor, while another police officer had inappropriate communication with her.
According to Hajdarević, they received the information from the institution for social care and acted on it immediately.
"On November 1, at 23:25 p.m., an employee of a social institution informed the KS MUP that a minor ward had inappropriate contact with adults, including police officers. The prosecutor on duty was immediately informed, a verbal criminal complaint was received and teams were formed to implement all measures provided for by law in order to protect the victim and establish the factual situation," announced the KS Prosecutor's Office.
Amar Turčalo is suspected of the crime of "sexual abuse of a child over the age of 15", while another police officer was temporarily released from the charge. Turčalo was also suspended from the police service in order to protect the interests of the investigation and the safety of the injured person.
The Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Nihad Uk and the Minister of Internal Affairs Admir Katica announced that a detailed internal control and independent investigation will be carried out in the KS MUP to ensure that all officials act in accordance with the law and professional standards.
This case additionally opens the issues of transparency and responsibility of police structures, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable groups, such as minors in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
