Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić emphasized that Serbia will consistently oppose the arrests of officials from the Bosnian entity of Republika Srpska.

“Serbia will never endorse the arrest of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, RS Prime Minister Radovan Višković, or the Speaker of the Republika Srpska Parliament, Nenad Stevandić. This is especially true in the context of political disagreements with the government in Sarajevo and representatives from the international community. We will remain steadfast in support of our people,” Vučić declared on Instagram.

Today, the BiH Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to Radio Free Europe (RSE) that a warrant for the arrest of Dodik, Višković, and Stevandić has been issued.

The warrant claims that the individuals are suspected of committing a criminal offense against the constitutional order, which under the Criminal Code of BiH carries a potential five-year prison sentence, as well as the possibility of prohibiting them from fulfilling their duties.

In a press conference in Banja Luka, Dodik remarked that a “harangue against RS” has been initiated from Sarajevo, following the order for his detention to provide testimony to the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dodik reiterated his earlier stance, stating that he will not comply with the summons from the BiH Prosecutor’s Office, alleging that the Court and Prosecutor’s Office are conducting an “inquisition.”

“We will not comply; let them try to enforce it. If they believe that the solution is to see Dodik in handcuffs, that’s their perspective, but it doesn’t mean they can accomplish it. I will continue my duties and will never abandon RS,” Dodik asserted during the press conference, which was also attended by Višković and Stevandić.

The BiH Prosecutor’s Office announced on March 6 that they have been investigating since December of last year due to suspicions of an “attack on the constitutional order.” They did not detail the specifics of the investigation at that time.

The order to detain Dodik, Višković, and Stevandić was communicated today to the court police of the Court of BiH, with the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) also being requested for assistance.

“I wouldn’t advise SIPA to act, and I believe they won’t. I also have faith in the RS police,” Dodik said, announcing his intent to file criminal charges regarding “various demolitions,” though he did not specify the subjects of his claims.

Previously, Dodik announced on social media that the BiH Prosecutor’s Office had summoned him for Friday, March 7, to provide a statement “as a suspect in the overthrow of the constitutional order.” He indicated at that time that he would not comply with the summons.

In a more recent appearance, he stated he received a summons again to provide evidence on Monday, March 10, but later claimed he had not received any summons from the BiH Prosecutor’s Office.

The Criminal Procedure Code of BiH allows for a forcible summons if the individual declines to appear. If that method fails, an arrest warrant may then be issued.

Like Dodik, both Stevandić and Višković have declared their intention to disregard the summons from the BiH Prosecutor’s Office.

The detention order for Dodik, Stevandić, and Višković, aimed at obtaining statements for the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH, coincides with the ongoing session of the RS National Assembly and discussions on a new RS Constitution.

The proposed new constitution aims to define RS as a state for the Serb people, establish self-determination rights, create its own military, and eliminate the Council of Peoples. Additionally, RS lawmakers are expected to deliberate on setting up a special court and prosecutor’s office for the “protection of constitutional order.”

This initiative is part of the actions RS authorities decided to pursue following Dodik’s sentencing to one year in prison and a six-year ban from holding office on February 26, according to a first-instance verdict from the Court of BiH, for disregarding the decisions made by the High Representative in BiH, Kristijan Šmit.

The day after the verdict, the RS Assembly enacted an unconstitutional law aimed at obstructing the operations of the Court and Prosecutor’s Office of BiH, the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council within its territory.

The unilateral termination of BiH’s jurisdiction over a portion of its territory contradicts the BiH Constitution. The Constitutional Court of BiH has suspended this law temporarily as of March 7.

Yet, Dodik stated that RS will persist in its stance despite international warnings that such attempts to undermine the constitutional order are unacceptable.

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