Dr. Orhan Karahodža, who is originally from Travnik and has been living and working in Switzerland and Germany for years, found himself at the center of a major scandal which was published by German television ZDF.

Private traders who want to make big money

"Golden fever during pandemic? Suspicious business with vaccines", is the title of the story of ZDF journalists, which is based on the trace of suspicious purchases of vaccines against coronavirus in Europe.

The full story, as stated, is based on a certain "Doctor O." (Orhan Karahodža), who, according to German journalists, mediates in procurement between states and producers. Vaccines are officially traded only between manufacturers and state governments, and there are private traders who want to make big money.

Karahodža is the owner of the company "Doctors365" from Switzerland, and in a statement for "Avaz" he claims that he is not doing anything illegal and that the whole business related to the mediation of vaccines is transparent.

- I am far from being a vaccine dealer. I'm not selling anything. I am a mediator between governments. I am a doctor who has contacts and I do not see anything controversial there. Governments contact me and I continue to mediate. It is true that I was also contacted by the RS Government for the procurement of AstraZeneca vaccines, 500,000 doses. People are looking for a solution. They are looking for vaccines, some of them are not asking for the price. But now it all stopped, because "AstraZeneca" blocked everything. There were also some informal contacts from the Government of FB&H- says Karahodža.

He claims that he has not earned a single cent so far in the mediation business.

- I work on a commission and there is nothing disputable about that. Every offer I get is checked by my lawyers. Libya wants six million doses of "AstraZeneca", Dominican Republic one million doses. There is nothing "under the grain". I am asked by governments from all over the world to help them and I then I connect them directly with distributors. Depending on who wants what. Whoever sends the letter, I mediate. I don’t take vaccines and I don’t carry them to anyone. I mediate. I get a letter, which I then send to "AstraZeneca". I always claim that the best way is to go the direct route, but if you can't, contact me - says Karahodža.

Whoever calls me, we check them out

As he says, he also has a consulting firm and can, "if he wants, sell bananas as well."

- Whoever calls me, we check them out. Now we are waiting for a contract from Europe to be realized - says Karahodzha.

When it comes to the request of the RS Government, as he says, everything is stopped now.

- Now everything is on hold for the next three months. And it all goes through a firm in London. As far as I know, "AstraZeneca" has already contacted the RS Government. But I have no influence on the price of vaccines. Well you know the price of a mask was one cent in the beginning and now it’s 50 cents. See what the situation is. Demand for vaccines is high because people are dying en masse. Some, of course, offer more money. But I don't like injustice, because I work honestly - says Karahodža.