The President of the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, has been sentenced to a one-year prison term, along with a six-year prohibition on holding political office.

Dodik was convicted by the Court of BiH.

He is charged with having signed presidential decrees affirming the validity of two unconstitutional laws of the RS, which had previously been annulled by the High Representative. These laws pertain to the non-implementation of decisions made by the Constitutional Court of BiH and the non-implementation of decisions by the High Representative regarding the RS territory.

This ruling is a first-instance judgment, and an appeal to the Appellate Chamber of the Court of BiH is possible.

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina issues its rulings based on legal standards and evidence, unaffected by external pressures, as any such interference would undermine the Court’s independence, as stated by the judicial institution.

“Consequently, the Court operates solely in accordance with legal norms, safeguarding the rule of law, judicial impartiality, and the integrity of the judicial system,” they announced.

They emphasized that the criminal proceedings against Dodik pertain to an individual matter, “not to an office or organization.”

“Despite the challenging circumstances surrounding the trial of Milorad Dodik and others, where the Court faced considerable public and political pressure, its primary objective was to adhere to the law and uphold the principles of justice and judicial independence,” the statement read.

The Court of BiH reiterated its commitment, as always, to “operate at the highest standards while respecting all procedural and human rights.”

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