After the verdict against Denis Prcic, will there be a revision of the diploma?
The first-instance court sentenced Denis Prcić, founder of the American University in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to three years in prison for abuse of position, reigniting questions about the control of higher education institutions. Prcić has been in the public eye due to the 'Diploma' case, where the BiH Prosecutor’s Office investigates suspicions of illegal issuance of higher education diplomas. The investigation suggests Prcić may have enabled former director of the Intelligence-Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Osman Mehmedagić, to obtain a university diploma illegally. Recent hearings before the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH have raised concerns about questionable licenses, accreditations, and political influence on certain private universities. The article explains the process of obtaining a license and accreditation for higher education institutions in BiH, emphasizing the need for compliance with quality standards. It notes that there is no centralized data on the number of fake or unlawfully obtained diplomas in BiH, as checks are conducted partially by canton, entity, and institution. To date, 92 fraudulent diplomas have been found
Denis Prcić, osnivač i predsjednik Američkog univerziteta u Bosni i Hercegovini, osuđen je na tri godine zatvora za zloupotrebu položaja, što je potaknulo duboke rasprave o transparentnosti i regulaciji visokoškolskog sistema u regiji. Prvostepena presuda, izrečena Kantonalnim sudom u Tuzli, proglašila je Prcića krivim za samovoljno povećanje troškova školovanja, što je rezultiralo nezakonitim pribavljanjem imovinske koristi. Studenata je zahtijevalo da uplati po 1.500 KM na ime troškova reakreditacije, uz uvjet da će im biti izdane diplome. Ovaj postupak je nanesio materijalnu štetu 42 studentima, a pokušavao je pribaviti dodatne 45.000 KM od još 30 studenata. Sud je usvojio imovinsko-pravne zahtjeve oštećenih studenata i obavezao Prcića da im vrati uplaćeni iznos u roku od 30 dana. Isto vrijeme, Prcić je oslobođen optužbe za prevaru u privrednom poslovanju, jer nije bilo dovoljno dokazano da je protivpravno naplatio 18.000 KM od studenta iz Pakistana i njegova oca bez osiguranja diplome.
Presuda je nepravosnažna, što znači da stranke imaju pravo na žalbu. Ovo događaje su potaknula pažnju na problem kontrole rada visokoškolskih ustanova, posebno u kontekstu sumnji o nezakonitom izdavanju diploma. Tužilaštvo BiH istražuje sumnje u nezakonito izdavanje visokoškolskih diploma, a u okviru tog predmeta sumnjiči Prcića da je bivšem direktoru Obavještajno-sigurnosne agencije Bosne i Hercegovine Osmanu Mehmedagiću omogućio navodno nezakonito stjecanje visokoškolske diplome. Ovo je dodatno podsticalo raspravu o političkom utjecaju na privatne univerzitete i spornim licencama i akreditacijama.
Proces izdavanja diploma u BiH započinje s dobijanjem licence od nadležnog obrazovnog organa, a zatim s akreditacijom, koju provjerava nezavisna stručna komisija. Akreditovana ustanova se upisuje u državni registar koji vodi Agencija za razvoj visokog obrazovanja i osiguranje kvaliteta BiH (HEA). Ako postoje sumnje da univerzitet radi nezakonito, prijava se podnosi nadležnom ministarstvu ili inspekciji. Tokom nadzora provjeravaju se zakonitost rada, izdavanje diploma, izvođenje studijskih programa i ispunjavanje uslova za licencu i akreditaciju. Ukoliko se utvrde nepravilnosti, nadležni organ može naložiti njihovo otklanjanje, pokrenuti prekršajne ili druge postupke protiv odgovornih osoba, a u najtežim slučajevima i postupak oduzimanja licence ili zabrane rada ustanove. Ako postoje elementi krivičnog djela, u postupak se uključuje i nadležno tužilaštvo.
Do sada je poznato da su u reviziji diploma zaposlenih u institucijama i javnim preduzećima Federacije BiH utvrđene 92 nevjerodostojne diplome, ali se taj broj odnosi samo na obuhvaćene provjere, a ne na cijelu BiH. Ne postoji zvaničan, jedinstven podatak za cijelu Bosnu i Hercegovinu o tome koliko je izdato lažnih ili nezakonito stečenih diploma, jer ne postoji centralna evidencija, a provjere su provođene parcijalno – po kantonima, entitetima i pojedinim institucijama. Ovo naglašava potrebu za boljom kontrolom i transparentnošću u visokoškolskom sistemu, kako bi se spriječile takve situacije u budućnosti.
Rasprava o Prcićevom slučaju također je povezana s nedavnim saslušanjima pred Komisijom za borbu protiv korupcije Parlamentarne skupštine BiH, gdje su iznesene tvrdnje o spornim licencama, akreditacijama i političkom utjecaju na pojedine privatne univerzitete. Ovo pokazuje kako se problema korupcije i neprovidnosti u obrazovnom sektoru ne ograničava samo na pojedine slučajeve već može imati šire učinke na sustav. Reakcije između stranaka u ovom slučaju su različite – sud je dao pravo na žalbu, a studenti su izgubili novac, što ih može podići da traže pravosudnu zaštitu i reforme u obrazovnom sektoru. Slijedeće korake u ovom procesu mogu uključivati višestruke žalbe, daljnje istraživanje i eventualne promjene u zakonskim propisima koji regulišu rad visokoškolskih ustanova.
The first-instance court sentenced Denis Prcić, founder of the American University in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to three years in prison for abuse of position, reigniting questions about the control of higher education institutions. Prcić has been in the public eye due to the 'Diploma' case, where the BiH Prosecutor’s Office investigates suspicions of illegal issuance of higher education diplomas. The investigation suggests Prcić may have enabled former director of the Intelligence-Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Osman Mehmedagić, to obtain a university diploma illegally. Recent hearings before the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH have raised concerns about questionable licenses, accreditations, and political influence on certain private universities. The article explains the process of obtaining a license and accreditation for higher education institutions in BiH, emphasizing the need for compliance with quality standards. It notes that there is no centralized data on the number of fake or unlawfully obtained diplomas in BiH, as checks are conducted partially by canton, entity, and institution. To date, 92 fraudulent diplomas have been found
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about legal proceedings and institutional processes without overtly favoring any political side. While the issue of academic fraud and corruption is politically sensitive, the tone remains objective, focusing on procedural explanations and reported findings.
Denis Prcić, former president and founder of the American University in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been sentenced to three years in prison for misusing his position by illegally increasing tuition fees for students. From March to November 2020, he required students to pay 1,500 KM each for 're-accreditation' costs, which were not justified and led to an illegal financial gain of 63,000 KM for the university. This caused direct material damage to 42 students who paid the fee, while Prcić attempted to extort another 45,000 KM from 30 additional students. The court ruled that Prcić must refund the money to all affected students within 30 days of the verdict’s finality. However, he was acquitted of fraud charges related to a Pakistani student and his father, as the court found insufficient evidence beyond reasonable doubt. Both parties have reserved their right to appeal the decision.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the case as a clear instance of misuse of power and corruption, emphasizing the harm done to students and the illegality of the actions taken by Prcić. It highlights the financial exploitation of students and the legal consequences imposed on Prcić, suggesting a critical stance on
Denis Prcić, predsjednik i osnivač Američkog univerziteta u Bosni i Hercegovini, osuđen je na tri godine zatvora za prekršaj službenih ovlaštenja i zloupotrebu položaja. Kantonalni sud u Tuzli smatra da je Prcić samovoljno povećao troškove školovanja studentima, tražeći naknadu za reakreditaciju, što je rezultiralo materijalnom štetom od 63.000 KM. Sud je usvojio zahtjev oštećenih studenata i obavezovalo Prcića da nadoknadi uplaćene iznose u roku od 30 dana. Presuda nije pravosnažna i može biti žaljena.
Bias read (Center): Vijest se fokusira na pravosudni proces i administrativne prekršaje, bez jasne političke strance. Iako se radi o javnom službeniku, članak ne kritizira ni podržava konkretnu političku stranku, već donosi objektivnu priču o sudskoj presudi. Stoga se smatra neutralnim.
Denis Prcić, predsjednik i osnivač Američkog univerziteta u Bosni i Hercegovini, osuđen je na tri godine zatvora za prekršaj službenih ovlaštenja i zloupotrebu položaja. Kantonalni sud u Tuzli smatra da je Prcić samovoljno povećao troškove školovanja studentima, tražeći naknadu za reakreditaciju, što je rezultiralo materijalnom štetom od 63.000 KM. Sud je usvojio zahtjev oštećenih studenata i obavezovalo Prcića da nadoknadi uplaćene iznose u roku od 30 dana. Presuda nije pravosnažna i može biti žaljena.
Bias read (Center): Vijest se fokusira na pravosudni proces i administrativne prekršaje, bez jasne političke strance. Iako se radi o javnom službeniku, članak ne kritizira ni podržava konkretnu političku stranku, već donosi objektivnu priču o sudskoj presudi. Stoga se smatra neutralnim.
Denis Prcić, former president and founder of the American University in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been sentenced to three years in prison for misusing his position between March and November 2020. According to the Tuzla Canton Court, he exceeded his authority by taking control of the university's Board of Directors and increased students' tuition fees, demanding they pay a 1,500 KM fee for re-accreditation to their accounts. Students who failed to make this payment were denied their diplomas, resulting in a financial gain of 63,000 KM for the university. The court ruled that 42 students suffered property damage, while Prcić attempted to secure an additional 45,000 KM from 30 other students. Prcić is required to compensate the affected students within 30 days of the ruling becoming final, with enforcement possible if necessary. However, he was acquitted of charges related to economic fraud involving a Pakistani student and his father, as there was insufficient evidence to prove the crime.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a legal ruling against a university administrator, focusing on the court's findings and the financial implications for students. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing that would indicate a clear ideological lean.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.
BA
