Dodiku Trial: Test for the Judiciary and the European Path of BiH

Sarajevo (Fena) – Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing a political crisis ahead of the judgment against the president of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity Milorad Dodik and the former director of the Official Gazette of RS Miloš Lukić.

They have been accused of disregarding the decisions of the High Representative Christian Schmidt. The BiH Prosecutor’s Office is seeking a prison sentence and a ban on holding public office.

Dodik is accused of signing a law that prevents the implementation of the Constitutional Court of BiH’s rulings and Schmidt’s decisions, even though the High Representative had previously annulled them.

His defense has requested an acquittal, stating that his client’s actions did not have any consequences, that Dodik respected the Constitution of Republika Srpska, and that, at the time of signing the decree, Christian Schmidt’s law had not come into force.

The trial is taking place in the context of growing political tensions in BiH as RS authorities announced “radical decisions” if Dodik is convicted, while the RS National Assembly remains in permanent session. The OSCE Mission has warned that any political pressure on the judiciary is unacceptable.

The verdict against Milorad Dodik could cause an even stronger political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and at a crucial moment of its European path. Any further conflict and institutional instability could further slow down or completely halt this process. (19.2.)