Former Banovići Mayor Bego Gutić Indicted for Multiple Criminal Offenses

Indictment Filed Against Former Banovići Mayor

The Tuzla Canton Prosecutor's Office has officially filed an indictment against Bego Gutić, the 55-year-old former mayor of Banovići, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The indictment concerns multiple criminal offenses, primarily focusing on allegations of abuse of position or authority and giving a gift. This development follows a prolonged investigation into his conduct during his tenure.

Extensive Political Career

Bego Gutić, born on May 1, 1970, in Banovići, possesses an extensive political and professional background. A graduate in geology and law, he previously served as the Minister of Internal Affairs for Tuzla Canton from 2011 to 2012. He then held the prominent position of Prime Minister of Tuzla Canton between 2015 and 2018, before being elected as the mayor of Banovići. His career has seen him occupy various high-profile roles within the region's administration.

Allegations of Abuse and Procurement Irregularities

The core of the indictment centers on alleged irregularities in public procurement processes during Gutić's time as mayor. Investigations suggest that over 90 percent of public procurements were conducted through non-transparent direct agreements. These alleged practices included:

• The 'splitting of procurements' to circumvent legal thresholds for direct contracts.
• The preferential engagement of his cousin's company, Gutić transport, for municipal projects.

These accusations are linked to the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) operation dubbed 'Kraljica' (Queen), which saw Gutić briefly detained and his mobile phone confiscated in June 2022. The Prosecutor's Office of Tuzla Canton suspects him of the criminal offense of 'abuse of position or authority', as prescribed by the FBiH Criminal Code.

Investigation Timeline and Further Cases

The investigation into Gutić's activities has been ongoing for a significant period. SIPA submitted a report on the alleged criminal offenses to the Prosecutor's Office by the end of 2022. While Gutić was questioned on March 20, 2025, the formal order to initiate the investigation was issued approximately a month prior to that date. Reports indicate that this is not an isolated case, as there are at least four other ongoing investigations against Gutić for various criminal offenses. The protracted nature of the case has drawn attention, with some reports suggesting the initial SIPA findings were 'kept in a drawer' for a period before the current indictment was filed.