European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called on authorities in Republika Srpska to immediately implement the final court ruling against the entity’s president, Milorad Dodik, who was convicted for defying the international High Representative in Bosnia.
In a post on the social media platform X, Kos said she had taken note of the decision by Bosnia’s Appeals Chamber, which upheld Dodik’s one-year prison sentence and six-year ban from holding public office.
“The verdict is legally binding. Authorities in Banja Luka must take immediate steps to ensure its implementation,” Kos said.
The ruling stems from Dodik’s refusal to enforce decisions issued by Christian Schmidt, the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Republika Srpska’s institutions have repeatedly rejected Schmidt’s legitimacy.
Dodik, who also leads the ruling SNSD party in Republika Srpska, has dismissed the verdict as politically motivated and vowed not to step down, defying international calls to respect the rule of law.