A final conviction against Milorad Dodik, President of Bosnia’s Serb-majority entity Republika Srpska (RS), has triggered a wave of political backlash across the region, with Serbian officials, religious leaders, and RS authorities denouncing the verdict as politically motivated.
The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday upheld a one-year prison sentence and a six-year ban on political activity against Dodik, who was convicted for failing to implement decisions of the international envoy in the country. The verdict also sparked debate over the future of RS’s leadership and the role of the judiciary in Bosnia’s fragile post-war balance.
Dodik dismissed the ruling as a “politically orchestrated attack” and vowed to remain in office. “Republika Srpska will emerge stronger. There will be no early elections,” he said in a statement.
Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut said the decision was “clearly politically driven” and “a direct blow to peace and stability in the region.” He pledged continued support for RS, calling the verdict “an attack on the entire Serbian people.”
Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church also weighed in, expressing “unequivocal support” for Dodik and describing the verdict as “anti-democratic” and “a threat to the survival of Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Divisions Within Bosnia
In Bosnia, the conviction further deepened political divides. Bosniak and Croat officials largely supported the court’s decision, calling it a reaffirmation of the rule of law.
The Social Democratic Party of Bosnia (SDP) described the verdict as “a vital reminder that no one is above the law.” Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković said it would be fully enforced, while Croat leader Dragan Čović urged Dodik to comply.
Zukan Helez, Bosnia’s Defence Minister, warned Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to refrain from interfering in Bosnia’s internal affairs after Vučić expressed solidarity with Dodik.
Dodik’s lawyer, Anto Nobilo, announced that the defense would challenge the ruling before the European Court of Human Rights. “This is a textbook example of political interference in the judiciary,” he said.
The Bosnian Court issued a clarification noting that Dodik was barred from holding or running for any political office for six years, adding that his prison sentence could potentially be converted into a fine under certain legal conditions.
Political Uncertainty Ahead
The ruling raises questions about Dodik’s political future. The Bosnian Electoral Commission has said it will assess whether to revoke his mandate based on the final verdict. Some analysts suggest RS may face early elections if Dodik is forced to step down.
With tensions running high and political rhetoric escalating, observers warn that Bosnia could be entering a period of renewed instability nearly three decades after the end of its war.