SIPA MONITORING PARAJAAMATS AND WAHHABI COMMUNITIES

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 14 /SRNA/ - The State Investigation and Protection Agency /SIPA/ of BiH has information indicating that parajamaats exist in BiH and, in cooperation with partner agencies, continuously carries out checks on those individuals, SIPA told SRNA.

Responding to SRNA’s inquiry regarding the existence of more than 70 parajamaats and Wahhabi communities in the Federation of BiH /FBiH/, SIPA stated that the number of parajamaats is lower than in previous years and that the individuals involved “do not pose a significant security threat.” "These are isolated cases, and Agency officers, in cooperation with partner agencies in BiH, continuously collect information about individuals gathering in such facilities, which indicates that these individuals do not pose a significant security threat," SIPA said. SIPA added that if, in the course of implementing measures and actions within their jurisdiction, officers obtain any information suggesting that these individuals might pose a security threat, such information is analyzed, and appropriate investigative measures and actions are undertaken based on the guidelines of the BiH Prosecutor’s Office. The FBiH Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet responded to SRNA’s earlier inquiry regarding the number of Wahhabi communities and parajamaats operating within that entity. Security expert Slobodan Župljanin earlier told SRNA that Wahhabi terrorist groups are seen to be operating freely in areas under stronger Western influence, particularly in the territory of the FBiH. He pointed out that almost nowhere in the world has a terrorist act occurred without, in some way, being connected to BiH, which is something that should concern everyone in BiH. "For an effective fight against such activities, political will from those in power at the BiH and FBiH levels is needed, followed by systemic, highly professional, and expert solutions, none of which are currently in sight. The current dormancy or inactivity of certain parajamaats or organizations is no guarantee against risks, threats, and dangers," Župljanin emphasized. The sooner the authorities wake up and pull their heads out of the sand, Župljanin says, the better it will be for everyone in BiH and the region.