Following the decision of the Appellate Division of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to uphold the first-instance verdict against the president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik—sentencing him to one year in prison and imposing a six-year ban from political activity for “non-compliance” with the decisions of Christian Schmidt—strong reactions persist throughout Republika Srpska, with a clear message: this is a direct attack on the institutions of Srpska.
Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Radovan Višković stated that the verdict against Dodik has nothing to do with law or justice but represents yet another blow to Republika Srpska. However, he emphasized that Srpska will emerge even stronger and better from this.
Višković stressed that this is an attack on the institution of the president of Republika Srpska.
SNSD Vice President Željka Cvijanović said the speculations of the Sarajevo pseudo-political circles are irrelevant, as they have never decided who will lead SNSD or any other political party or institution in Republika Srpska.
Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Željko Budimir stated that the shameful second-instance verdict against President Dodik is the result of a political purge and represents an assault on the institutions of Srpska and its legislative authority.
Chairman of the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Nikola Špirić said that the shameful verdict by the Appellate Panel of the Court of BiH continues the political persecution of President Milorad Dodik and fundamentally undermines democracy and its principles.
Constitutional law professor Siniša Karan said that the confirmation of the verdict marks the end of Dayton BiH, which no longer functions as a constitutional system.
MP Milorad Kojić and acting director of the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska Miloš Lukić said on RTRS’s Morning Program that the verdict is a direct blow to the institutions of Srpska and the will of its people, and emphasized that injustice cannot defeat justice, truth, or the will of the people.
The Academy of Sciences and Arts of Republika Srpska (ANURS) stated that the second-instance verdict against President Dodik is one of the most serious attacks on Republika Srpska since the end of the civil conflict in BiH and called for unity in this sensitive moment.
“Only together can we defend and protect our institutions and Republika. As always, ANURS, in cooperation with all relevant social, institutional, and political actors, will give its full contribution to the defense and preservation of Srpska,” the statement reads.
Serb delegate in the Serb Club of the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, Radovan Kovačević, said that President Dodik and Republika Srpska have offered dialogue in BiH for 20 years, while Sarajevo has chosen imposition and persecution of Serbs instead.
PDP President Draško Stanivuković said that any hand lacking the people’s support and legitimacy cannot eliminate the institution of the president of Republika Srpska, and added that those who celebrate the verdict are celebrating a country that has become a colony.
President of the Narodni Front party Jelena Trivić reiterated her view that the court process against President Dodik is a political farce.
The First SDS party said the political-judicial conviction of the legally and legitimately elected president represents a judicial farce and an open assault on the will of the people and the constitutional order of BiH.
In expressing its strongest protest against the verdict, the party emphasized that Republika Srpska was created in peace, defended in war, and its foundations rest on the inviolable right of the people to decide their own destiny.
Numerous messages of support and concern were sent to the BiH Consulate General in Stuttgart from members of the diaspora over the confirmation of the verdict, according to consul Vera Sajić.
BiH Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandar Vranješ stated that the process against Dodik is rigged and directed by foreign actors, adding that while Serbia has no mechanisms to interfere, its moral support is of great importance to Republika Srpska.
The “Creators of Republika Srpska” Association said that the verdict against President Dodik suspends the institution of the presidency and marks the beginning of the dismantling of other democratic institutions.
The Committee for the Protection of Serb Rights in the Federation of BiH stated that the paper typed in the former “Viktor Bubanj” barracks, once a camp for Serbs, and presented as a verdict against Dodik, is a collapse of civilization and has nothing to do with law or justice.
Mayor of Milići Marko Savić said it is clear to everyone that the verdict is politically motivated, with no legal or just foundation.
Political analyst Aleksandar Zobenica described the confirmation of the verdict as not a legal decision, but a political execution.
The “We Are the Strength of the People” movement believes that Serbia must support President Dodik, as doing so means supporting Republika Srpska.
Miodrag Linta, president of the Alliance of Serbs from the Region, said that the Appellate Division of the Court of BiH handed down a political verdict based on the imposed decisions of Christian Schmidt, who has no mandate to enact or change laws, and that no one should be removed from political life in such a manner.
Linta stated that the guilty verdict against President Dodik is a grave blow to Republika Srpska and its institutions.
Source: RTRS
