Withdrawal of Schmidt’s imposed decisions is essential

The unconstitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has lifted the detention measures against the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Radovan Višković and the Speaker of the National Assembly Nenad Stevandić.

By voluntarily appearing at the Prosecutor’s Office, the grounds for issuing a warrant have ceased to exist.

According to the Court’s decision, both are now required to report to the respective police stations in Banja Luka and Milići every two weeks.

As a reminder, President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister Višković, and Speaker Stevandić were charged by the BiH judiciary with allegedly attacking the constitutional order of BiH due to the adoption of several laws in the National Assembly.

There are no longer grounds for detention or warrants against the Speaker and the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska. Stevandić and Višković appeared voluntarily at the BiH judicial complex in Sarajevo this morning, which led Prosecutor Vedrana Mijović to request the lifting of restrictive measures during the hearing.

“I propose that the Court lift the detention ordered on March 12, 2025, and simultaneously impose a measure requiring the suspects to report periodically to a state authority – specifically, for Nenad Stevandić to report every two weeks to the Banja Luka Police Station and for Radovan Višković to report every two weeks to the Milići Police Station,” said Mijović.

Judge Tatjana Kosović soon announced the cancellation of detention and the warrants. At the same time, a measure of mandatory, periodic reporting to the police was imposed, with which the defense agreed.

“Given that the conduct of my clients clearly shows there is no flight risk – they appeared voluntarily – we fully agree that detention should be lifted and the warrant withdrawn,” said Goran Bubić, defense attorney for Stevandić and Višković.

Stevandić and Višković, together with President Dodik, came under judicial pressure in March after the National Assembly adopted laws banning the operations of SIPA, the Court, and the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH on the territory of Republika Srpska, and establishing its own High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC). In Sarajevo, this was interpreted as an attack on the constitutional order, which led to warrants being issued, a request for EUFOR assistance in arrests, and eventual revocation of all detention measures. However, the investigation remains ongoing.

“This politically motivated process against Višković and Stevandić ended politically – with their voluntary appearance. This is a first step toward de-escalation. If there is to be genuine de-escalation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, several things must be done, and we are ready to do our part. The first step must be the withdrawal of all decisions imposed by Schmidt,” said President Dodik.

The Prime Minister and the Speaker of the National Assembly avoided the media who awaited them outside the judicial complex. In a brief exchange in East Sarajevo, they stated there was no need for public comment and that they were satisfied with the outcome.

Source: RTRS