Mayor of Sanski Most

Carlos Westendorp, the High Representative, has written to Mehmed Alagic, Mayor of Sanski Most, expressing his opinion that Mr Alagic should, in line with the legal norms of all European countries, voluntarily resign or suspend his functions, pending the outcome of investigations into his alleged abused of public office.

Mr Alagic has attempted to invoke immunity from these allegations, citing the constitution of Canton 1. But the Federation Supreme Court has already made it clear, in a separate case, that such an invocation is invalid. The High Representative expects next week's session of the Sanski Most Municipal Assembly to deny Mr Alagic immunity against the judicial proceedings currently going on against him.

The High Representative would very much regret it if, once again, the International Community were forced to step in and solve a problem which should be solved by Sanski Most's municipal institutions.