Serb delegate in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Radovan Kovačević, stated that Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska and leader of SNSD, is not a fugitive, but the democratically elected president of Republika Srpska and the leader of the Serb constituent people in BiH.
Kovačević said that Dodik is a victim of political persecution orchestrated by former U.S. Ambassador to BiH Michael Murphy and the unelected foreigner Christian Schmidt, who has no legal authority in BiH and who violated the constitutional order and the Constitution of BiH, which clearly states that the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH is the only institution authorized to pass laws.
“He usurped that right and amended the Criminal Code in such a way that anyone who does not respect his decisions—someone who is nobody in BiH—could go to prison,” Kovačević said.
He emphasized that this will not be accepted and that no one in a normal, civilized world will ever accept such actions.
“Let this be clear—Milorad Dodik will not be called a fugitive! Let that be understood!” Kovačević said during an appearance on N1.
Kovačević also pointed out that, unfortunately, according to the BiH Constitution, the capital of Republika Srpska is Sarajevo, but de facto, it is Banjaluka.
“Banjaluka will be the capital once the new Constitution of Republika Srpska is adopted,” Kovačević said, adding that the Constitution of Srpska does not mention East Sarajevo. “If you want to engage in such a debate with me, you should at least know something about it,” he said during a heated exchange on the show, reiterating that Banjaluka will clearly become the official capital of Republika Srpska.
He added that it is highly significant how pretrial detention was determined for the president of Srpska, the speaker of the National Assembly, and the prime minister of Republika Srpska.
“Imposing detention on a Serb, on Republika Srpska, on the leader of Republika Srpska—no court in any state can make decisions based on such amendments,” said Kovačević.
He reminded that the Criminal Code of BiH includes the offense of attacking the constitutional order, but explicitly defines only violent acts as criminally punishable.
Responding to claims that court decisions are not to be questioned, Kovačević pointed out that this applies only when courts operate based on laws adopted in accordance with the Constitution by Parliament.
“In this case, the Parliament, which is the only institution constitutionally authorized to adopt and amend laws in BiH, did not pass any such law. What Christian Schmidt amended is not valid law. When you say that’s irrelevant—on the contrary, it is highly relevant. Republika Srpska will never allow this kind of humiliation. Those who think they can humiliate Republika Srpska in this way must understand that the only outcome will be the humiliation of BiH,” said Kovačević, again noting that the Criminal Code of BiH defines only violent attacks on the constitutional order as punishable offenses.
He concluded that BiH can exist only if there is readiness for dialogue and mutual efforts to find solutions for the future and survival of BiH and all its citizens.
Source: RTRS
