Security Minister Vukovic on Bail

A top Bosnian security official arrested in Croatia last month and charged with conspiracy to commit murder was released from custody last week after paying bail of 400,000 kuna (€50,000).

Bosnian deputy security minister Vjekoslav Vuković was released after promising to remain in his home in the central Bosnian town of Kiseljak and to answer any calls from the Croatian court. Vuković had been held in the Croatian port town of Rijeka since his Jan. 16 arrest.

Vuković, 35, is accused of acquiring explosives and other weapons that police believe were to be used to assassinate two men providing security to bars and nightclubs in Rijeka. Police said they thwarted the plans last autumn and arrested two men, but had to wait several months for Vuković to appear in Croatia before they could arrest him as a co-conspirator. Vuković, who holds dual Bosnian and Croatian citizenship, has denied the charges.

Vuković headed a special unit to combat organized crime, terrorism and corruption. The security ministry suspended him from his job after the arrest. Bosnian security minister Tarik Sadović this week imposed a new ministry rule that dual citizens will no longer have access to sensitive information. Many Bosnian Croats hold Croatian citizenship as well; Croat politicians have condemned the rule, because it effectively bars Croats from holding senior positions in the ministry.

-- Beth Kampschror