Dodik's defense seeks recusal of two judges for prior involvement in the case

(Patria) - The defense of Milorad Dodik, led by lawyer Goran Bubić, has requested the recusal of two judges from the BiH Court's panel assigned to handle appeals.

The hearing continues at 4 PM.

The defense stated that according to Article 29, a judge who participated in a previous proceeding cannot participate in the appellate proceeding.

They requested the recusal of judges Vesna Jesenković and Hilmo Vučinić. They stated that Judge Jesenković participated in the process regarding the rejection of the request, and Vučinić was a member of the judicial panel that decided on the appeal against that decision.

Neither Milorad Dodik nor Miloš Lukić appeared in the BiH Court.

Goran Bubić, the lawyer for the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, said yesterday that the defense will, after presenting the appeal, request the annulment of the first-instance verdict and its modification to an acquittal or a new trial.

On February 26, the BiH Court delivered a first-instance verdict against the President of the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, Milorad Dodik, sentencing him to one year in prison and a six-year ban from holding the political office of RS President and all positions funded by public funds.

Miloš Lukić, acting director of the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, was acquitted of charges related to the publication of controversial laws and decrees in the entity's official gazette.