Sarajevo, 31 December 2009 - The EU Police Mission and the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) have noted that the number of useful information from citizens to the Krimolovci hotline has increased by nearly 120 percent since the launch of the “Corruption takes everything from you“ public information campaign.

Since the launch of the campaign on 7 December, Krimolovci operational centre received 655 calls, which represents about 200 calls more than in the previous month. 

102 calls were actionable and thus forwarded to the relevant police agencies in BiH for further proceedings. Most of these pertain to the corruption and abuse of office, production and drugs trafficking as well as murders.

“The overall number of registered calls and useful information received in December is a clear sign that our messages are reaching out to the citizens. It is also a clear message to criminals that they can no longer sleep peacefully”, said SIPA Director Mirko Lujić. “The mutual trust between the police and citizens has been growing every day and we are determined to make BiH even safer country for living.”

“Corruption takes everything from you” is the single most important message which the EU Police Mission and BiH police agencies are conveying to the BiH citizens in the ongoing anti-corruption public information campaign. Until the end of January 2010, the campaign will aim to raise citizens’ awareness about the corruption as unacceptable pattern of behavior and impact the corruption has on a society.

“We would like to encourage the citizens to continue calling the Krimolovci hotline. All calls are anonymous and free of charge and will be treated by the police in a professional fashion”, concluded Director Lujić. The Krimolovci hotline can be reached 24/7 at 080 020 505.