By reading the indictment and presenting the introductory remarks of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H and the Defense, the trial of the accused in the "Respirators" case has begun in the Court of B&H.

The Federal Prime Minister Fadil Novalić, his Deputy Jelka Milićević, the suspended director of the Federal Administration of Civil Protection Fahrudin Solak, and the owner of the company "Srebrena malina" Fikret Hodžić are accused in this case.

Prosecutor Mirza Hukeljić said that the company that would procure 100 respirators was known in advance. As he explained, the procedure of selecting "Srebrna malina" was based on one SMS message sent to the accused Novalić and that he is doing everything according to the instructions of a person named Asim.

In their introductory remarks, the Prosecution said that the complete procurement plan was devised by Novalić, and that Solak and Hodžić followed the instructions.

Novalić, Solak and Hodžić are charged with having committed several criminal offenses, including abuse of position or authority, receiving a reward or other form of benefit. Milićević is charged with committing the criminal offense of negligent work in the service.

The indictment alleges that Novalić, using the powers of the Prime Minister, together with the Deputy Prime Minister, signed previously prepared payment orders on April 3rd, 2020., which was the basis for the transfer of money from the budget to the account of "Srebrna malina" in the amount of 10.5 million KM. 4,950,000 KM was transferred from the current reserve account, and 5,580,000 KM from the special account of protection and rescue funds.

The Prosecution has made clear today again: Purchased and delivered medical equipment (respirators, ACM812A) does not have even the minimum necessary essential characteristics for adequate treatment of patients with moderate and severe clinical picture due to COVID-19 disease, which is why its use in intensive care units is not recommended.