The BiH Court Summons Dodik for Trial Despite Health Concerns

The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has summoned Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and acting director of the Official Gazette, Miloš Lukić, to continue the main hearing on Wednesday, December 25. The court references an expert opinion by Dr. Haris Vranić, asserting that Dodik is medically fit for trial.

However, Dodik’s attorney, Goran Bubić, challenges this opinion, highlighting its contradiction with the discharge letter from Dodik’s surgeons, which recommends 60 days of rest and restricted activities for up to three months.

Criticism of Expert Witness

Dr. Haris Vranić, a former health minister of Sarajevo Canton and an affiliate of the SDP party, as well as a former member of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ABiH), has been appointed as the medical expert. Critics, including Dodik’s defense, argue that Vranić is unqualified to evaluate abdominal surgery cases, as his specialty lies in vascular surgery.

“It is evident that the Court of BiH could not find a doctor in Sarajevo willing to violate medical ethics and oath except for Vranić. His assessment contradicts the medical recommendations provided by a team of university professors specializing in abdominal surgery,” stated Bubić.

Political Bias Alleged

This development follows accusations that the trial is politically motivated. Critics argue that the court, presided over by individuals affiliated with the ABiH, lacks impartiality. Serbian leaders have labeled the trial as a “political farce” aimed at undermining Dodik’s political career and Republika Srpska’s autonomy.

Speaker of the Republika Srpska Parliament, Nenad Stevandić, described the trial as “a dirty political agenda” with a predetermined outcome, disregarding both legal and humanitarian considerations.

Reactions from Republika Srpska and Beyond

Minister Staša Košarac condemned the proceedings as “monstrous and scandalous,” while MP Miroslav Vujičić went further, alleging that the case not only seeks Dodik’s political elimination but also poses a threat to his life. Similarly, Russian Ambassador to BiH, Igor Kalabukhov, emphasized the “hybrid approach” of the Western international community toward Republika Srpska, calling the trial against Dodik “bizarre.”

Conversely, some politicians from the Federation of BiH have voiced concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. MP Predrag Kojović acknowledged the severity of Dodik’s medical condition and criticized the court’s decision to prioritize the trial over Dodik’s recovery, calling it “inhumane.”

International Implications

This trial, described as emblematic of broader tensions between Republika Srpska and international actors, underscores the deepening political and legal divides within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The situation continues to draw criticism from multiple sides, with significant implications for the region’s stability and governance.

Source: RTRS

c