“We did not expect the separation of proceedings against the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and the acting director of the Official Gazette, Milos Lukić, which is without legal basis,” said Goran Bubić, the defense attorney of the President of Srpska, during his appearance on the Morning Program of RTRS.
“We did not anticipate the separation because it is not in the Criminal Procedure Code. The goal is the elimination of Milorad Dodik from political life. Before the trial even started, we saw that this was just a farce. Separation without a proposal from the Prosecutor’s Office, which is the creator of the indictment, is not in practice,” emphasized Bubić, noting that it would have been reasonable to postpone the scheduled hearing because Lukić provided medical documentation showing he is in the hospital.
He highlighted that the defense wanted to point out the bias of the acting judges, so the recusal of Judge Mirsad Strika and seven other judges was requested.
“We have a violation of fair trial standards. This is a staged political process, not a legal one. This was confirmed to us yesterday, and now it is clear even to laypeople,” added Bubić.
Recall that the start of the main trial in the staged political process against Dodik and Lukic before the BiH Court was again postponed after the defense requested the recusal of the acting judge, Mirsad Strika.
Previously, Strika separated the proceedings regarding Lukić. The next hearing is scheduled for January 30.
The President of Srpska addressed the court for the first time since the beginning of the process.
The defense claims that this is another indicator that this is a political process with the goal of eliminating President Dodik from political life.
“I expect an acquittal, and in that case, I will sue BiH for damages,” Dodik stated after the hearing.
Source: RTRS
