The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina resumed the trial of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and acting director of the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, Miloš Lukić, on Monday. The two are accused of failing to implement decisions made by the international High Representative in Bosnia, Christian Schmidt.
Ahead of the hearing, a large crowd of Dodik’s supporters, including officials from Republika Srpska, gathered outside the courthouse in Sarajevo. Heavy police presence, including special forces, was observed to maintain security.
Dodik testified in his defense during the proceedings, marking the conclusion of the evidentiary phase of the trial. Closing arguments are scheduled for February 19.
Legal experts suggest that a first-instance verdict could be expected by early March, given the trial’s pace. The case has drawn significant political attention, with Dodik repeatedly dismissing Schmidt’s authority in Bosnia.
The trial comes amid heightened political tensions between Bosnia’s central institutions and Republika Srpska, the Serb-dominated entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina.