Eurasia Press & News
As soon as the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina handed down a first-instance verdict on Republika Srpska president, Milorad Dodik, sentencing him to a year in prison with a six-year ban on holding the presidential office, for not complying with the decisions of the High Representative, Dodik and his allies launched laws to undermine state institutions, triggering the worst political crisis in the country in decades. The verdict was confirmed in August, after which Dodik’s mandate was revoked.
Police standoff over arrest warrant
The political crisis escalated when police from the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, ended up in a standoff with Republika Srpska police in East Sarajevo. SIPA officers attempted to deliver an arrest warrant for Milorad Dodik, then president of Republika Srpska, for his unconstitutional actions. Dodik later doubled down on threats that the Serb-led entity would secede.
Srebrenica genocide marked 30 years on
Thousands of people flocked to the Srebrenica Memorial Centre to mark the 30th anniversary of the genocide of Bosniaks carried out by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995, when more than 8,000 Bosniak boys and man were killed. Seven more victims were laid to rest this year. A total of 6,772 genocide victims have been buried at the Memorial Centre. Another 250 were laid to rest in local cemeteries in accordance with the wishes of family members.
Farewell to much-loved singer
Thousands gathered in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, for the funeral of much-loved folk singer Halid Beslic, who died on October 7, aged 72. Before the funeral, held five days after his death, memorial gatherings were held at more than 150 locations, across four continents. In Sarajevo, more than 20,000 people sang his songs in unison. Over a career that began in 1979, Beslic released 19 studio albums, with dozens of songs that remain hits among people of all ages.
Nobel nomination for Trump
Only days after the fragile ceasefire deal was made between Hamas and Israel in October, Bosnia’s tripartite state presidency nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, for his efforts in “establishing a lasting peace in the Gaza Strip”. All three members of the presidency – Bosniak member Denis Becirovic, Croat member Zeljko Komsic and Serb member Zeljka Cvijanovic – supported the decision.
Deadly fire in care home
A fire at a care home for the elderly on the night of November 4 in the northeastern city of Tuzla took 17 lives and left Bosnia in shock. The fire broke out on the seventh floor of the home, caused by a short circuit on a radio receiver in one of the rooms. Residents of the home and their families, as well as some local politicians, had long warned about poor conditions in the home – but their appeals were met with silence.
After Dodik … Dodik?
While Milorad Dodik is no longer president of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity, he remains a key figure in Republika Srpska, thanks to the control and influence of his political party. His ally, Sinisa Karan, won the Republika Srpska presidential election in November, with Dodik often appearing at events alongside Karan. Reports suggest Dodik also continues to access presidential benefits, such as personal protection, a car and use of the presidential plane.
