Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska, has traveled to Serbia and Israel despite being wanted in Bosnia and Herzegovina for attacking the constitutional order. This has raised questions about a potential Interpol warrant.
Dodik, who has been indicted but not yet convicted, left BiH without hindrance, despite a national warrant being issued against him. His appearance in Serbia and subsequent trip to Israel have sparked legal and political controversy.
Could an Interpol Warrant Be Issued?
According to BiH law on international legal assistance, if an individual with a national warrant leaves the country, judicial authorities can request an Interpol “Red Notice.” This process involves:
- The BiH Court issuing a request to Interpol.
- Interpol verifying compliance with its regulations.
- If approved, the warrant is internationally distributed.
Legal expert Damir Arnaut explains that this procedure typically takes one to three days. However, concerns arise over whether BiH’s judicial institutions will act swiftly enough to prevent Dodik from returning unimpeded.
Border Security Failures
Reports suggest that Dodik crossed the BiH-Serbia border in a convoy of unmarked vehicles without standard police checks. The BiH Border Police has launched an internal investigation into this apparent breach of protocol.
Political Divisions
Reactions are split along political lines. Dodik’s allies dismiss the controversy as political hysteria, while opposition figures argue that the failure to enforce legal measures undermines the rule of law.
The key questions remain:
- Will BiH authorities formally request an Interpol warrant?
- How will they handle Dodik’s return?
- Could this case set a precedent for future legal evasions?
The coming days may determine whether Bosnia and Herzegovina’s legal institutions can enforce accountability or whether political influence will prevail.
