Western Balkans leaders convened in Skopje on Monday, reaffirming their commitment to accelerate the implementation of the EU-backed Growth Plan, as political controversy continued to swirl in Bosnia and Herzegovina over a court decision to lift the detention and arrest warrant against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
Bosnia’s top court on July 4 withdrew the warrant after Dodik agreed to voluntarily appear before the state Prosecutor’s Office in Sarajevo, where he is being investigated for allegedly attacking the country’s constitutional order.
The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina said it accepted the prosecution’s proposal to revoke the detention order, citing that “the grounds for its initial issuance no longer exist.” However, it imposed precautionary measures, including mandatory biweekly check-ins with police authorities in Laktaši. The court said it would review the measures every two months.
“The suspect was specifically warned that he may be remanded in custody if he violates the obligations under the imposed prohibition measures,” the court and prosecution said in a joint statement.
Speaking to Republika Srpska’s public broadcaster RTRS, Dodik said he was no longer restricted from travelling abroad or within Bosnia and Herzegovina. “I voluntarily came to the Court of BiH, and within 90 minutes, decisions were made lifting the detention and search warrants domestically and internationally. Of course, the case continues,” he said.
Dodik, who must now report to police every 15 days, added: “I don’t feel triumphant, just tired of everything.”
In February, the court sentenced Dodik to one year in prison and six years of political disqualification for refusing to implement decisions of the High Representative for Bosnia, Christian Schmidt. In response, Republika Srpska authorities pushed forward a draft of a new entity constitution.
In March, arrest warrants were issued for Dodik, RS Prime Minister Radovan Višković, and National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, who were suspected of undermining the constitutional order. Despite the warrants, Dodik continued foreign visits, including trips to Serbia, Russia and Hungary, under police escort.
The decision to lift the warrants drew sharp criticism from several Bosnian officials and opposition figures in Republika Srpska, who alleged the move was politically motivated.
The developments in Sarajevo came as regional leaders met in North Macedonia’s capital to discuss the EU’s €6 billion Growth Plan, which aims to boost economic convergence and accelerate the Western Balkans’ integration into the European Union.