The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg has rejected a request by Milorad Dodik’s legal team for an interim measure aimed at suspending court decisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina that led to the loss of his presidential mandate in Republika Srpska.
The Court confirmed the decision to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, stating that the request under Rule 39 was reviewed and dismissed without further explanation of its merits.
Legal challenge and interim request
Dodik, the former president of Republika Srpska, had asked the Court to temporarily halt the implementation of domestic court rulings in Bosnia and Herzegovina while his appeal is being processed.
However, the ECHR ruled that the conditions for emergency intervention were not met.
Background of the case
Milorad Dodik was previously sentenced by the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina to one year in prison and a six-year ban on holding public office for failing to comply with decisions issued by the Office of the High Representative.
The court found that Dodik, while serving as entity president, had signed and enforced laws that had been annulled by the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following the final ruling, Bosnia’s Central Election Commission formally revoked his mandate in August 2025, a decision later upheld by domestic courts and confirmed by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What the Strasbourg decision means
The ECHR emphasized that Rule 39 interim measures are exceptional and are typically reserved for urgent cases involving risks such as deportation or threats of irreparable harm.
The Court noted that such measures are rarely applied to stop the enforcement of domestic court judgments or political decisions.
Importantly, the rejection of the interim request does not represent a final decision on Dodik’s appeal, which will be examined in later stages of the proceedings once all parties submit their arguments.
