“This is not just about animosity toward the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, or the leadership of the entity. This is something far more serious. It is an attempt to use the illegal Christian Schmidt, who claims to be the High Representative, to continue violating the Dayton Peace Agreement—aiming to seize the property of Republika Srpska, its natural resources, minerals, and forests. Without these, the Republic would not exist, and that is the red line that neither the leadership nor the people of Srpska may cross. That line is the Rubicon.”
This is how Goran Petronijević, lawyer in the legal defense team of President Milorad Dodik and head of the Center for the Renewal of International Law, opened his interview with Glas Srpske.
He believes nothing is coincidental, noting that developments should be seen through the lens of the decline of globalism and the rise of sovereignism.
“In that context, we must observe the events in Srpska and BiH, Serbia, Romania, North Macedonia, Greece, Moldova. Neoliberal globalism suffered a blow after its electoral defeat in the United States, and has shifted focus to Europe—its new centers being London, Brussels, and Berlin.”
He stated that the pressure of neoliberal globalism on the core values of sovereignism—statehood, nationhood, religion, and family—is growing. One of its methods, he says, is the misuse of the judiciary to eliminate political opponents who cannot be defeated through democratic means. “Examples include Trump, Le Pen, AfD, Orbán… and now Dodik,” Petronijević claims.
According to him, what’s being carried out against Srpska is not a legal process against individuals but an attack on the institutions of Republika Srpska.
On the Appeal in Dodik’s Case
Petronijević confirmed that attorney Goran Bubić, with the assistance of Ante Nobilo and himself, has filed an appeal. He does not expect any positive outcome from the higher court:
“We knew the verdict months before it was read. It was made behind closed doors—between Schmidt and Michael Murphy. The judge just read it aloud. It’s all a farce.”
He said the law passed in Republika Srpska nullifies the jurisdiction of the BiH judiciary and that any cooperation with the BiH Court, Prosecutor’s Office, or SIPA is legally prohibited in the RS.
On Schmidt’s Legitimacy and Sanctions
Petronijević argues that Schmidt’s legitimacy will soon be openly challenged in international forums:
“No one appointed him. Who will answer for the money he spent as an illegal High Representative or for the unrest he caused? His recent move to stop budget financing for SNSD and United Srpska is just another blow to stability.”
On Arbitration and Legal Options
He supports the idea of initiating a case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague if done in accordance with international law. Dayton, he says, is an international agreement and can only be changed with the consent of all signatories.
“Schmidt cannot suspend the Constitution of BiH for 24 hours. The powers he has claimed are pharaonic—absurd.”
On the Ultimate Goal: RS Property
Petronijević believes the primary interest of political Sarajevo is the property of Republika Srpska. He also recalls Richard Holbrooke’s alleged promise to Alija Izetbegović to accept Dayton temporarily, as future legal changes would centralize the state and lead to Bosniak dominance.
“What we see now is paradoxical: those who defend Dayton and the BiH Constitution are being accused of destroying it.”
On the Fall of Globalism and the Future of RS
He affirms that globalism is collapsing, while sovereignism is rising globally—in countries like France, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
“Republika Srpska has endured for 30 years. It is a political reality. Even with many powers stripped away, it is self-sustaining and could function independently. The accusations of separatism are baseless.”
On Radovan Karadžić’s Health
Petronijević confirms that efforts are underway to send a team of Serbian doctors to visit Radovan Karadžić in prison. He claims there were two attempts to medically endanger Karadžić and says the goal is to establish the truth and expose potential abuse by prison authorities.
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Source: Glas Srpske
