Dodik's hearing not held, he says 'Schmidt and Murphy are plotting to make life difficult for Bosnia and Herzegovina'

(Patria) - The main trial in the proceedings against the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik and the acting director of the Official Gazette Miloš Lukić was not held today at the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dodik told gathered reporters that the hearing did not begin because the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina rejected the defense's request to transfer the proceedings to the Basic Court in Banja Luka, but the defense has a three-day deadline to appeal, and during that period the main trial cannot start.

"We received that decision today, the three days expire on Monday, and we will appeal exactly then," Dodik announced.

He thanked the gathered representatives of veterans' organizations and officials for their support, and then lashed out at US Ambassador Michael Murphy, High Representative Christian Schmidt, and the process itself being conducted against him.

"As for the judge himself, he was correct in acknowledging those facts; they are undisputed regarding the law, regarding the rest of the process. So, that stench called Christian Schmidt and that cretin called Murphy are plotting how to make life difficult for this Bosnia and Herzegovina. Republika Srpska accepts the constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It does not accept this Bosnia and Herzegovina of Murphy and Schmidt. And if they prosecute us, they will drive us out of Bosnia and Herzegovina. So, we demand a return to the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that it be respected, and when it is respected, we will respect it.

With such behavior, that an unelected foreigner changes the law by decision and leads to a court process, you truly cannot find that anywhere in the world. If any lawyers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and judges think this is legally correct work, they are gravely mistaken. If they think this is not political, they are even more mistaken. So, Republika Srpska is united on this. Look, studying all those various stupidities related to Schmidt, it is evident that when they began congratulating him on the position of High Representative, he himself said, gave a public statement, we have a public statement, which says, do not congratulate me, I still need to be appointed by the Security Council. That never happened. And he tried to pretend that he is the High Representative here. That is the whole point. Either you have, or you want a constitutional Bosnia, or you do not. Do not accuse anyone, especially not Republika Srpska. Republika Srpska will not accept being part of a colony that is accepted here in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will not do that. And that is something we will fight against. Colonial administration is long gone," Dodik said.

Attorney Anto Nobilo, a member of the defense team for the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, dismissed insinuations that the defense is delaying the process.

"The right to a fair trial and an independent court is the foundation of any legally regulated state and democracy. Every citizen has the right to a fair trial, including citizen Milorad Dodik," Nobilo said.

He added that the right to a fair trial implies that the guilt of the accused is not prejudged.

"Here we have cited as examples the media appearances of Christian Schmidt and several ambassadors and ministers who prejudged Dodik's guilt," Nobilo said.