Bosnian Federation president released from custody

SARAJEVO -- Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina (FBiH) President Živko Budimir was released from custody late on Friday.

Živko Budimir (Beta/AP, file)
Živko Budimir (Beta/AP, file)

Budimir was arrested on April 26 on suspicion of abuse of office and accepting bribes in exchange for granting pardons.

He filed an appeal to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina to the decision to remand him in custody, claiming that his right to freedom had been violated.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday overturned the decision and returned it to the Bosnia-Herzegovina Court, instructing it to make a decision in accordance with regulations of the European Court for Human Rights and the Constitutional Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Another eight persons suspected of being involved in the same corruption case were arrested in April.