The pro-Russian president of the Republic of Srpska, the Serbian entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, announced on Monday that he has arrived in Moscow.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dodik stated that every time he visits the Russian capital, he begins his stay with “a visit to the Monument of the Unknown Soldier to honor the 28 million Russians who died in World War II.”
He did not provide details regarding the purpose of his visit, but mentioned that he would be there again on May 9 to mark Victory Day against fascism during World War II.
The court in Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued an international arrest warrant for Dodik because he did not respond to invitations from the Prosecutor’s Office to be interviewed regarding suspicions of committing the crime of attacking the constitutional order.
“I will be here again on May 9, at the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism, during which the Russian and Serbian people have suffered the most,” Dodik said in a video published on X.
“Some are trying to rewrite history. It is impossible, but those who want to do so are trying to distort the historical facts. The historical facts about the suffering of the Russian and Serbian people, and Jews during World War II, cannot be changed,” Dodik added.
He spoke with great respect for Putin, whom he has met several times since the beginning of Russia’s war in Ukraine, describing him as “an important historical leader of the Russian people.”
“He has endured everything and has reached a situation where he is welcomed by another counterpart who is important in fighting the global elite, and that is President (Donald) Trump in the United States,” Dodik said.
On March 27, the court in Bosnia and Herzegovina requested that the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) issue a red notice for Dodik and the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, under suspicion of committing the crime of “attacking the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
A “red notice” alerts police forces worldwide about fugitives wanted internationally and helps bring them before justice. However, it is up to the member countries of INTERPOL to decide whether or not to arrest a person.
The decision was made after both Dodik and Stevandić left Bosnia, avoiding legal border procedures, and a warrant was issued, meaning law enforcement agencies should bring them before the court in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The request for the arrest of high-ranking RS officials comes at a turbulent time, as on February 26, Dodik was sentenced in the first instance by the Bosnia and Herzegovina court to one year in prison and a six-year ban on holding public office for failing to comply with decisions made by the International High Representative in Bosnia.
A day after the ruling, the National Assembly of the RS adopted unconstitutional laws which, within the entity’s territory, attempted to halt the work of the Bosnian Court and Prosecutor’s Office, the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.
On March 7, the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina decided on a temporary measure and suspended the implementation of the laws passed by the entity’s Parliament.
