Lendo: It is up to the Chief Prosecutor of the BiH Prosecutor's Office to indict Dodik for anti-Dayton activities

(Patria) - The holding of the ceremony on the occasion of January 9, the unconstitutional holiday "Day of Republika Srpska", is the culmination of the anti-Dayton, unconstitutional and illegal policy pursued by the authorities of that Bosnian-Herzegovinian entity led by Milorad Dodik, states the Vice President of the Federation of BiH, Refik Lendo, in his reaction.

"The organization of this event, along with the secessionist threats made, are more than sufficient reason for the Bosnian-Herzegovinian judiciary to finally prosecute and punish Dodik, as well as others responsible for failing to implement and respect the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The High Representative had a legal obligation, based on the powers derived from the Dayton Agreement, to prevent the celebration of ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and genocide, which are marked on January 9 in the Republika Srpska entity.

The Law on Criminal Procedure obliges the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chief State Prosecutor to undertake criminal prosecution when the legal conditions are met. All the Chief State Prosecutor needs to do is act according to the law, issue an order to conduct an investigation, prepare an indictment, and ultimately secure a conviction. By their own inaction and gross negligence of duty, the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina gives the impression that the state lacks the strength to respond to the disrespect of its courts' decisions.

The authorities of the Republika Srpska entity, led by Milorad Dodik, are making efforts to create the impression that they have eliminated the High Representative as the only legitimate threat to their secessionism and anti-Dayton activities. Through his own inaction and failure to implement his promises, the High Representative is undermining the authority of the OHR, the international community, and the authority of his own decisions, thereby strengthening the impression that he has neither the authority nor the strength to act within the territory of the Republika Srpska entity," concludes Lendo.