US Embassy: Indictment against Dodik and Lukić an important step in upholding the rule of law

(Patria) - The US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has commented after the BiH Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska, and Miloš Lukić, acting director of the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, for decrees on the non-implementation of the High Representative's decisions in the entity of Republika Srpska.

“The indictments filed by the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina against Dodik and Lukić are an important step in upholding the rule of law, which is the foundation of every democracy. The laws of BiH apply to all citizens. No individual is above the law. We expect BiH institutions and all citizens to respect the relevant processes involved in upholding these laws,” stated the US Embassy in BiH.

The indictment in the Dodik and Lukić case was filed based on Article 203a of the Criminal Code of BiH, or more specifically, based on amendments recently imposed by the High Representative, which state that any official, at all levels of government in BiH, who does not apply, implement, or otherwise respect the decision of the High Representative, or who prevents or otherwise obstructs its application, implementation, or enforcement, will be punished with a prison sentence of six months to five years. The person who commits the act will be banned from holding office.