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Bosnian Serb Leader Dodik Sentenced, Moves to Restrict State Authority

Milorad Dodik faces a one-year prison term and political ban, prompting legislative actions to limit Bosnia's central government in the Serb Republic.

Bosnian Serbs rally in front of the regional parliament in support of President of Republika Srpska (Serb Republic) Milorad Dodik, expecting court verdict on charges that he defied rulings by an international peace envoy,in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Amel Emric
President of Republika Srpska (Serb Republic) Milorad Dodik addresses his supporters reacting to a court decision on charges that he defied rulings by an international peace envoy, in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Amel Emric
President of Republika Srpska (Serb Republic) Milorad Dodik addresses his supporters reacting to court decision on charges that he defied rulings by an international peace envoy, in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 26, 2025. REUTERS/Amel Emric

Overview

  • Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik was sentenced to one year in prison and banned from politics for six years for defying an international peace envoy's rulings.
  • Dodik rejected the verdict, claiming it was politically motivated, and is expected to appeal within two weeks, with the option to pay a fine instead of serving jail time.
  • In response, Dodik initiated measures to bar Bosnia's state police, judiciary, and intelligence agency from operating in the Serb Republic, with parliamentary approval expected soon.
  • Russia condemned the court's decision, calling it destabilizing for the Balkans and aligning with Dodik's stance against Bosnia's central institutions.
  • The U.S. and EU criticized Dodik's actions as threats to Bosnia's sovereignty and stability, urging adherence to the Dayton peace accords that ended the 1990s war.