Bosnian prosecutors order arrest of Serb leader Milorad Dodik
Bosnian prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for Milorad Dodik, the leader of Bosnia’s Serb entity, Republika Srpska (RS), on charges of “threatening the constitutional order,” local media reported Wednesday.
The warrant also applies to RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic and RS National Assembly (NSRS) Speaker Nenad Stevandic.
The move comes amid growing political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, following Dodik’s conviction last month for disregarding the authority of the international peace envoy.
Dodik: ‘I will never leave Republika Srpska’
Following the arrest order, Dodik, Viskovic, and Stevandic held a press conference in Banja Luka.
“I will never leave Republika Srpska,” Dodik declared, denying reports that he planned to flee Bosnia. He described the prosecution’s decision as a political attack, comparing his treatment to that of “al-Qaeda suspects.”
“Today is my birthday, and I received a great gift from Sarajevo,” Dodik said, adding that the RS constitution would be strengthened. He also accused Bosniak politicians of attempting to dismantle the Serb entity.
Dodik reiterated his opposition to the European Union Force (EUFOR) mission in Bosnia and called on Russia to veto its extension at the U.N. Security Council. He dismissed the arrest warrant as “worthless” and insisted he would continue signing laws passed by the RS National Assembly.
Republika Srpska parliament plans ‘new constitution’
The RS National Assembly is expected to convene later on Wednesday to discuss new constitutional amendments, which include provisions on “self-determination” and the establishment of an RS Army.
Bosnia’s constitutional court has previously annulled similar measures, ruling them unconstitutional.
Turkiyetoday
