The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday handed down a first-instance verdict sentencing Milorad Dodik, president of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, to one year in prison and imposing a six-year ban on holding the office of RS president.
“The Court has sentenced Milorad Dodik to one (1) year of imprisonment and imposed a security measure banning him from serving as president of Republika Srpska for six (6) years, effective from the date the verdict becomes final,” the court said in a statement.
The ruling is a first-instance verdict and will become final only after both the defense and prosecution submit appeals, with the final decision expected from the Court’s appellate panel by the end of the year.
If upheld on appeal, the ruling would bar Dodik from holding the RS presidency for six years. Regarding the prison sentence, under current law, Dodik can pay an estimated BAM 36,000 (approx. EUR 18,400) to avoid serving jail time.
Meanwhile, Miloš Lukić, director of the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, was acquitted of all charges.
What Was Dodik Convicted Of?
In 2023, the RS National Assembly passed a law stating that decisions by the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina would not be published in the RS Official Gazette or enforced within the entity. Although the High Representative annulled the law shortly after, Dodik defied the decision and signed a decree promulgating the law.
Subsequently, the High Representative amended Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Criminal Code, making the non-implementation of High Representative decisions a criminal offense. Dodik’s refusal to comply led the Prosecutor’s Office to file charges against him and Official Gazette director Miloš Lukić.
