Around 30 armed individuals reportedly identified as members of the Republika Srpska Ministry of Internal Affairs entered the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Federation without prior coordination with the relevant security authorities during Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s visit, raising questions about security procedures and inter-entity coordination.
According to investigative outlet Istraga.ba, the group was spotted near Bugojno, where a delegation from Serbia and Republika Srpska was staying under the leadership of Vučić and Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
The official security plan reportedly assigned protection of the delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies, in cooperation with Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and local police structures in the areas visited by the delegation.
However, the armed group reportedly observed in Central Bosnia was not included in the approved security plan.
Istraga.ba reported that the individuals were traveling in four vehicles belonging to the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry, two vehicles operated by private company EuroExpress and three ATVs. Some of the individuals were reportedly not wearing police uniforms or identifying insignia.
Bosnian police intervene
Members of the Central Bosnia Canton police reportedly encountered the group in a wooded area within the expanded security perimeter established around the delegation.
When police officers requested an explanation for their presence, the armed individuals reportedly said they were conducting “reconnaissance.” According to sources cited by Istraga.ba, however, the size of the group, its equipment and the vehicles involved did not correspond with the official records of personnel authorized to provide security for the visit.
Following initial checks, a special police unit was deployed to the area.
According to the report, the group left the area after the special unit arrived and was later seen traveling toward Donji Vakuf. It was eventually ordered to leave the Federation territory in the direction of Kupres.
The Central Bosnia Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed to Istraga.ba that the incident had been recorded, while stressing that no weapons were used and no confrontation between police forces occurred during the intervention.
Security and constitutional concerns
The reported incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of security coordination mechanisms in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Under Bosnia and Herzegovina’s legal framework, police structures belonging to one entity cannot conduct operational activities in the territory of another entity without prior coordination and authorization from the competent institutions.
If the allegations reported by Istraga.ba are confirmed, the incident could represent a breach of established security procedures and raise broader concerns about inter-institutional coordination during high-level visits.
The incident occurred during Vučić’s visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which included a trip to the village of Chipuljić near Bugojno, the birthplace of his family.
As of publication, the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry had not issued an official statement clarifying the composition of the group, the reason for its presence in Federation territory or whether it was operating as part of an authorized security operation.
The reported episode comes amid heightened political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the activities of Republika Srpska security structures and relations between state-level and entity institutions remain under close scrutiny by domestic and international actors.
