Bosnia Targets Arms-Trade Corruption in Vitezit Case: Raids Across Central Bosnia
Bosnia’s Federal Police launched operation “Barut” over the controversial sale of the Vitezit arms factory, arresting four people and raiding several locations across Central Bosnia. The investigation targets illegal arms dealings linked to Croatian businessman Zvonko Zubak.
Police officers of the Federal Police Administration (FUP) launched an operation early this morning under the code name “Barut” (Gunpowder), following orders from the POSKOK anti-corruption office. The action targets individuals suspected of involvement in the questionable sale of the former defense industry giant “Vitezit”, once one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most important military manufacturers.
The coordinated raids are being carried out across several locations in the Central Bosnia Canton, including Vitez, Bugojno, and Travnik, where four people have been arrested so far, according to initial reports.
Among those targeted are members of the family of controversial arms dealer Zvonko Zubak, whose company acquired part of Vitezit’s assets several years ago.
FUP investigators are gathering evidence related to suspected criminal offenses including abuse of position or authority and unauthorized possession of weapons or explosive materials. The investigation reportedly focuses on irregularities surrounding the sale of the bankrupt company “PS Vitezit d.o.o. Vitez”, which specialized in the production of weapons and military equipment.
Authorities are also investigating the Zagreb-based firm WDG d.o.o., which purchased part of Vitezit in 2019. The company, known as WDG Produkt, had previously been linked to an affair involving arms shipments to Ukraine.
Searches are currently underway at “PS Vitezit d.o.o.”, “WDG d.o.o. Vitez”, and multiple private and business premises across the canton.
The bankruptcy and sale of Vitezit have long been mired in controversy, with numerous complaints and criminal charges filed by creditors who accused the administrators of illegal sales and serious procedural violations, including the unlawful disposal of state-owned assets.
Once a major producer of explosives and propellants in the region, Vitezit has now become the centerpiece of one of the first major investigations launched by the newly established Office for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina—signaling increased scrutiny of privatizations within the country’s defense sector.
