Hearing for appeals against Dodik's verdict today: BiH Court considers replacing judge

(Patria) - The session of the Appellate Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at which appeals in the case against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik should be considered, is scheduled for Wednesday, 12 June at 1:00 PM. However, holding this session has been called into question because the president of the chamber, Judge Staniša Gluhajić, is still on sick leave.

Without the presence of the presiding judge, the scheduled hearing cannot be held. The Court of BiH is therefore considering the possibility of his replacement. The court will reportedly appoint a new member of the Appellate Chamber. In addition to Gluhajić, the chamber includes Judge Hilmo Vučinić and Judge Amela Huskić, who is the rapporteur in the case.

We remind you that Milorad Dodik was sentenced by a first-instance verdict on 26 February this year to one year in prison and a six-year ban from holding the office of President of Republika Srpska, for disregarding the decisions of High Representative Christian Schmidt. According to the indictment, between 1 and 9 July 2023 in Banja Luka, despite Schmidt's decisions, Dodik continued the legislative process that challenged the competencies of the Constitutional Court of BiH and attempted to prevent the publication of laws in the "Official Gazette of the RS".

Although after the verdict he stated that he would not appeal because he does not recognize the Court of BiH, his defense later filed an appeal, as did the Prosecutor's Office of BiH, which considers the sentence inadequate.

The verdict sparked a new political crisis in BiH, as the National Assembly of Republika Srpska subsequently adopted laws banning the operation of state judicial and security institutions on the territory of the RS – including the Court and Prosecutor's Office of BiH, the HJPC, and SIPA. The Constitutional Court of BiH annulled these laws.

In the meantime, another proceeding is underway against Dodik – this time as a suspect for the criminal offense of "attack on the constitutional order of BiH". The Prosecutor's Office of BiH ordered his detention, and the Court of BiH issued a central search warrant, as Dodik did not respond to summons from the Prosecutor's Office. However, despite the active search since March, the competent police agencies have not carried out the arrest.

In addition to Dodik, this investigation also includes RS Prime Minister Radovan Višković and President of the RS National Assembly Nenad Stevandić, who also signed the disputed laws.

In anticipation of the session of the Appellate Chamber, which will be held only if the full composition of the chamber is secured, judicial and political uncertainty remain a key point of tension in BiH.