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Bosnia and Herzegovina’s appeals court has confirmed the February verdict against Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, affirming his sentence of one year in prison and a six‑year ban on political office.
Following the appeals ruling, Dodik held a press conference where he once again rejected the authority of the OHR and its decisions, declaring: "This is an attack on Republika Srpska. I reject the ruling. As long as I remain in power, there will be no early elections in RS. I am calling for police intervention."
In June 2023, Republika Srpska’s National Assembly (NSRS) decided not to publish the decisions made by High Representative Christian Schmidt in its Official Gazette.
Although Schmidt announced that this decision was invalid and would not be enforced, the NSRS still went ahead and put it into effect.
Because Dodik refused to follow the OHR’s decisions, prosecutors filed a case against him. He attended his first court hearing on December 16, 2023. Later, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina found Dodik guilty of ignoring the OHR’s decisions and sentenced him to one year in prison and banned him from politics for six years.
In July 2025, Dodik voluntarily appeared before the Prosecutor's Office in Sarajevo, leading to the lifting of an arrest warrant against him. However, authorities have warned that the warrant could be reinstated if he continues actions deemed unconstitutional.
Dodik had been charged with "threatening the constitutional order," according to media sources. He voluntarily appeared at the Prosecutor’s Office, accompanied by his lawyer, to provide a statement.
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The European Union on Friday urged all parties to respect the appeals court’s decision, emphasizing the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
“The EU calls on all parties to acknowledge the independence and impartiality of the court, and to respect and uphold its verdict,” stated the EU’s diplomatic service in response to Dodik’s prison sentence, AFP reported.
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