Media: Dodik, the Bosnian Serb separatist leader, is removed from office

Bosnian electoral authorities have stripped Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Bosnian Serb separatist movement, of his presidential position in the "Republika Srpska" entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This formal step stems from an earlier appellate court ruling that sentenced him to one year in prison and banned him from engaging in any political activities for 6 years.

A Sarajevo court ruled in February that Dodik failed to comply with the decision of the international envoy overseeing the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, which was reached after the war in the early 1990s.

Member of the Central Election Commission, Suad Arnautović, told journalists on Wednesday that the commission decided to apply the law - if an elected official is sentenced to more than six months in prison, he will be automatically removed from office.

Arnautović stated that the commission's decision regarding Milorad Dodik will take effect after the appeal period ends, and then a snap presidential election for the Republika Srpska will be held within 90 days.

Dodik's lawyers said they plan to submit the case to the Bosnian Constitutional Court.

Dodik posted on social media X that "surrender and giving up do not exist, surrender is not an option," and pledged to continue fulfilling his presidential duties.

The Bosnian Serb government called the verdict "politically motivated."

Last Friday, the Bosnian appellate court upheld the February ruling, sentencing Dodik to imprisonment and banning him from political activities, leading to the revocation of his presidency in the Bosnian Serb Republic.

Dodik had previously refused to accept the verdict and stated that as long as he received support from the Bosnian Serb parliament, he would continue to exercise his presidential powers.

The Bosnian Serb government does not recognize the verdict, calling it "unconstitutional and politically motivated."

Dodik has received support from some international allies, including Serbian President Vučić and Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán.

The EU stated last week: "The verdict is binding and must be respected."

Despite Bosnia being a candidate for EU membership, Dodik's separatist and pro-Russian activities have hindered the country's accession process.

He has repeatedly called for the secession of the Serb entity and its integration into Serbia, which led the previous US administration to impose sanctions on him and his allies.

His threats of division have increased concerns within Bosnia, especially among the Bosniak community.

During the 1992-1995 war, Bosnian Serbs opposed independence from Yugoslavia, attempting to establish a mini-state and merge with Serbia, resulting in approximately 100,000 deaths and millions displaced.

The US-led Dayton Agreement ended the war, dividing Bosnia into two entities: the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

These two entities are highly autonomous, but share joint institutions such as the military, supreme judiciary, and tax authority. Bosnia also has a three-member presidency composed of representatives from the Bosniak, Serb, and Croat communities, who rotate in office.

Dodik has repeatedly clashed with the international senior representative, Schmidt, who oversees peace, and declared his decision illegal in the Republika Srpska.

Sources: Al Jazeera Plus News Agency

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1849621024281600/

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