The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina today delivered a first-instance verdict against the President of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, Milorad Dodik, sentencing him to one year in prison and imposing a six-year ban on holding the political office of RS President.
“The court has sentenced the accused, Milorad Dodik, to one (1) year in prison, as well as a security measure banning him from performing the duties of the President of Republika Srpska for a period of six (6) years from the date the verdict becomes final,” announced the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This is a first-instance verdict, which is not final at this moment. It will become final after both the defense and the prosecution submit their appeals and the second-instance panel of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina makes a final decision. The second-instance verdict is expected to be delivered by the end of this year.
If the final verdict remains the same as the first-instance ruling, it means that Dodik will not be able to hold the position of RS President for the next six years. As for the prison sentence, since he has been sentenced to one year, under the current law, he will be able to buy out his sentence for approximately 36,000 KM (approximatively 18 000 euros).
When it comes to the Director of the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, Miloš Lukić, he has been acquitted of the charges.
The verdict was delivered by Judge Sena Uzunović after a trial that lasted a little over a year.
What Was Dodik Convicted For?
In 2023, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (RS) adopted a law stating that the decisions of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina would not be published in the Official Gazette of RS nor implemented in the entity. Shortly after, the High Representative annulled this law, but Milorad Dodik ignored the decision and signed a decree proclaiming the law.
Milorad Dodik said that the this decision of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina is politically motivated: “I was prepared for this kind of verdict, although it disturbed me. I was prepared for this kind of verdict, although I was disturbed by the ‘Guilty’ statement, and I know that I am not guilty,” Dodik said.
He emphasized that a legal process would be initiated against Christian Schmidt in Germany for false representation.
“Today, someone may laugh, but justice is slow, but achievable,” Dodik said.
What foes it mean for stability in the WB region?
The verdict may lead to instability in the region, especially when it comes to Serbia – Bosnia’s neighbouring country. This situation might be misused by Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić to draw attention from current protests in Serbia, where students demand responsibility for the death of 15 people in Novi Sad which is the result of corruption and negligent work.
Written by our correspondent D.I.
