A court in Bosnia sentenced Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, to one year in prison and banned him from political activities for six years over alleged separatist actions.
The landmark ruling, delivered on Wednesday by the court in Sarajevo, marks a significant moment in Bosnia’s political landscape.
Dodik was convicted of disobeying the orders of the top international envoy overseeing peace in Bosnia, a charge stemming from his efforts to undermine state institutions and promote the secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The trial lasted over a year, but Dodik and his lawyers were absent during the sentencing.
However, Dodik consistently denied the charges and vowed to defy any conviction. Following the verdict, he addressed thousands of supporters in Banja Luka, the administrative capital of Republika Srpska.
They say I am guilty, but now people here will say why I am not guilty. There is no reason to worry. I have learned to deal with tougher situations. It is important that you are here.
The US-brokered Dayton Accords, which ended the Bosnian War in 1995, established a complex political system dividing the country into two entities: the Bosniak-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska.
While the two regions enjoy significant autonomy, they share joint institutions, including the army, judiciary, and tax administration. Bosnia also has a rotating three-member presidency composed of Bosniak, Serb, and Croat representatives.
In neighboring Serbia, media reported that President Aleksandar Vučić convened an urgent session of the national security council following the verdict. Serbia has historically maintained close ties with Republika Srpska and Dodik, and the ruling could strain relations between Bosnia and Serbia.
