Bosnia and Herzegovina’s top court has issued a nationwide arrest warrant for key Republika Srpska leaders Milorad Dodik, Radovan Višković, and Nenad Stevandić. The arrest order requires immediate action by police forces across the country if any of the individuals are encountered.
Court’s Action Following Dodik’s Defiance
The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued the arrest warrant after Milorad Dodik, the leader of Republika Srpska, ignored a previous state-level warrant. Višković, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, and Stevandić, the Speaker of the National Assembly, also face arrest on charges related to unconstitutional actions. Reports suggest that Stevandić has already fled to Serbia to avoid detention.
The authorities accuse these leaders of undermining Bosnia’s constitutional order, which has led to escalating political tensions in the country. Dodik’s continuous defiance of state institutions, including the judiciary and prosecutor’s office, has brought further instability.
Dodik’s Defiance and Republika Srpska’s Border Police Plans
Bosnia’s prosecutors had initially issued arrest warrants for Dodik, Višković, and Stevandić last week, but these warrants went largely unenforced. Dodik continues to reject the authority of Bosnia’s judicial system, dismissing the legitimacy of the state-level prosecutor’s office.
In response to the arrest warrant, Dodik announced on social media that Republika Srpska will establish its own border police to control the internal border between Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dodik’s proposal for a separate border force has further heightened tensions, as it represents an assertive challenge to Bosnia’s federal structure.
Dodik has repeatedly stated that he will not cooperate with Sarajevo or respond to any legal summons issued by the state-level authorities. His actions have intensified the political standoff, drawing international concern about the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Legal Conviction and Growing Political Crisis
In late February, a Bosnian court convicted Dodik for defying the decisions of international peace envoy Christian Schmidt. However, the conviction is not final, as Dodik retains the right to appeal. This legal setback has prompted Dodik to introduce new laws in Republika Srpska aimed at banning state-level security and judicial bodies from operating in the entity. These laws, however, have been temporarily blocked by Bosnia’s Constitutional Court.
Dodik’s ongoing push for greater autonomy for Republika Srpska and his disregard for state-level legal rulings have raised alarms both domestically and internationally. The tension between Bosnia’s central government and the Republika Srpska leadership continues to deepen, with Dodik’s actions challenging the unity of the country.
International Response and EUFOR’s Increased Presence
As the political crisis continues to unfold, the European peacekeeping force in Bosnia (EUFOR) has increased its troop presence in the country. EUFOR cites the rising tensions and the risk of instability as reasons for bolstering its deployment in the region. This move underscores the growing concerns of international actors about the potential for further conflict in Bosnia.
The situation remains fluid, with the Bosnian judiciary and political leaders at an impasse. As the arrest warrants stand, the response from the Republika Srpska leadership and the ability of Bosnian authorities to enforce the law will likely determine the next phase of the crisis.
