“As of today, Bosnia and Herzegovina no longer exists. I require the backing of the people and I am determined to proceed,” stated Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik to supporters in Banja Luka following his sentencing to one year in prison by the Court of First Instance of BiH. He also received a six-year ban from holding the President’s office for his failure to execute decisions by the High Representative of the International Community in BiH, Kristijan Šmit.

The second defendant, Miloš Lukić, who is the acting director of the Official Gazette, was found not guilty of all charges.

“I received a one-year sentence for their nonsense. There’s no need for concern. I have faced tougher challenges,” Dodik remarked in his initial response to the ruling.

Dodik has two weeks to appeal the decision, which will be finalized once the appeal process concludes. Neither he nor his legal team attended the court session yesterday.

If he ultimately serves a one-year prison sentence, Dodik will be disqualified from running for any public office, as stipulated by BiH Election Law, which states that “an official who has received a final sentence of more than six months cannot be a candidate for public office.”

If his sentence is upheld, Dodik can avoid incarceration, as a sentence of up to one year may be substituted with a monetary penalty at the request of the convicted individual. Currently, he could exchange his prison term for 36,000 KM (approximately 18,600 euros).

Dodik, who has long advocated for the separation of RS and its merger with Serbia, mentioned that he conversed with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, noting that they “mocked those in Sarajevo.”

“Let Vučić come to Banja Luka to discuss our next steps,” Dodik said, announcing that the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska (NARS) would decide to “reject the proceedings in the Court of BiH” relating to his conviction.

He also highlighted plans to implement a law prohibiting the Prosecutor’s Office from operating in RS, obstructing the enforcement of BiH court decisions within RS, banning the High Prosecutorial Council of BiH (HJPC) from operating in that entity, and establishing the HJPC RS.

“The fourth law concerns prohibiting the BiH Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) from functioning in Republika Srpska. Additionally, there will be a law against the activities of the Intelligence Service (OBA) in the territory of Republika Srpska,” Dodik outlined.

During an emergency meeting presided over by Vučić, the Serbian National Security Council condemned the “undemocratic, uncivilized, and illegal verdict” against Dodik, asserting that this represents “the greatest crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the war concluded.”

“This crisis stems from a collective assault by Sarajevo and the West on RS, aimed at its redefinition and eradication. We advocate for unity among all Serbian people and political parties in both RS and Serbia,” stated Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić following the Council’s session.

Vučić remarked last night that the verdict against Dodik seeks to dismantle RS and undermine the position of the Serbian populace.

“On the flight to Banja Luka after the disgraceful verdict against Milorad Dodik, which is illegal, anti-democratic, and aimed at dismantling the RS,” Vučić stated in a video shared on his Instagram. He emphasized that Serbia must support RS and will endeavor to “influence decisions made to stabilize the situation.”

Orban labeled the verdict against Dodik as a “political witch hunt.”

“The political witch hunt against President Milorad Dodik is a troubling example of the weaponization of the legal system targeting a democratically elected leader. Preserving stability in the Western Balkans cannot be achieved in this manner!” Orban wrote on the X platform.

The Russian Foreign Ministry commented that the verdict against Dodik “will lead to disastrous consequences for the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the broader region.”

“We caution foreign actors involved in post-conflict resolutions in BiH and the global community: a guilty verdict will inevitably result in catastrophic implications for BiH and the Balkans,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.

They further described the allegations against the legitimately elected President of RS as a direct attack on the entirety of the Serbian people, claiming such accusations are rooted in pseudo-legal provisions imposed on sovereign BiH by the self-styled High Representative, Christian Schmidt, outside the legal framework.

The Russian Ministry characterized the proceedings against Dodik as “entirely political, driven by the West, which seeks to eliminate patriotic forces in Republika Srpska resisting Euro-Atlantic neo-colonialism.”

The Court of BiH responded that its decisions are based solely on legal standards and evidence, dismissing external pressures as attacks on the Court’s independence.

“Consequently, the Court exclusively adheres to legal stipulations, ensuring the rule of law, the impartiality of the Court, and judicial integrity,” the statement clarified.

They emphasized that the criminal case against Dodik pertains to an individual rather than a function or institution.

Christian Schmidt met with NATO Commander in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Matthew Wallace, yesterday in Sarajevo.

“We engaged in substantive discussions regarding the current political and security landscape in BiH and the Western Balkans. A secure environment is vital for progress and development,” Schmidt stated after the meeting, as reported by the Office of the High Representative (OHR).

During sessions of the RS National Assembly in June 2023, unconstitutional laws were enacted declaring that the legal acts of the High Representative would be excluded from the RS Official Gazette, and that the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH, which are final and binding under the BiH Constitution, would not be applied in RS.

On July 1, 2023, Schmidt utilized the Bonn powers to repeal two entity laws and introduce amendments to the Criminal Code of BiH, classifying the failure to implement the High Representative’s decisions as a criminal offense.

On July 7, 2023, Dodik authorized decrees validating these laws, which were subsequently published in the RS Official Gazette.

The BiH Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against Dodik and Lukić on August 11th, with the court confirming it on September 11th.

EUFOR: No actions indicating a breach of peace

The EUFOR Commander in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Major General Florian Marinan Barbu, reported yesterday in Sarajevo that EUFOR is vigilantly observing the developments following Dodik’s verdict. Aside from statements from RS authorities, there are no signs or concrete measures that would suggest a breach of peace and security in the country.

After discussions with BiH Defense Minister Zukan Helez, Barbu mentioned that EUFOR is well-prepared for current security challenges, possessing adequate capacities — both stationed in BiH and reserve forces ready for rapid response.

“EUFOR operates impartially, fully honoring its mandate. We will continue our mission and maintain our presence wherever necessary,” he affirmed.

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