Bosnia and Herzegovina: Prime Minister 'Vote-Buying Tape' is Authentic, Claims Opposition

Published: 28 August 2015

Zeljka Cvijanovic

By Igor Spaic

A Dutch institute has confirmed the authenticity of an audio tape that appears to feature a regional prime minister in Bosnia proposing to buy votes, according to the leader of the opposition.

At a press conference on Thursday Dragan Cavic, leader of the National Democratic Movement (NDP), claimed to have ordered a forensic analysis of a controversial recording published by Bosnian media in November 2014.

The tape appeared to show Zeljka Cvijanovic, Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska (RS), suggesting buying the votes of two members of the RS national assembly in order to ensure another majority for her Independent Social Democratic Party (SNSD).

It was originally posted on the news website Klix.

Following the scandal, the SNSD said the recording had been doctored. Cvijanovic added that she was "as clean as a baby's tear".

At the Thursday press conference, however, Cavic claimed that a Dutch forensic institute found no evidence of fakery, and demanded that Cvijanovic step down.

However, according to RS police chief Gojko Vasic, the analysis cannot be used as evidence for an indictment since it was acquired by illicit means.

RS authorities say the audio recording was obtained by illegally wiretapping Cvijanovic.