Judge Uzunović threatened Dodik with removal from courtroom: His defense requested her recusal

The trial of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and acting director of the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska Miloš Lukić was adjourned again today due to Milorad Dodik's defense team's request for the recusal of judge Sena Uzunović.

The request for recusal followed a dispute between Dodik's lawyer Goran Bubić and the judge regarding the receipt of a letter extending the deadline for submitting objections to the additional evidence presented by the BiH Prosecutor's Office.

Namely, Bubić claimed they had not received this document, even after Judge Uzunović presented proof.

"Never again claim something that is not true in front of this Court," Uzunović stated.

Dodik's lawyer requested an oral statement on the Prosecutor's Office's additional evidence, but Uzunović did not allow it, warning him not to argue.

"The fax machine automatically outputs the data you see at the top of the page. Nothing can be attached. It cannot state on the fax that you received it, and have something else on your fax," Uzunović explained, raising her voice.

Bubić then complained about her tone.

"It is my right to shout," she replied.

Uzunović then denied Dodik's request to speak, but he continued to argue with her.

"Do not argue with the Court. I will request your forced removal. Then you cannot leave the Court premises," Uzunović told him, asking the technician to mute Dodik's microphone.

Bubić then requested her recusal, stating that she had shown "unexpected bias".

She issued a warning and reminded him of the legal penalty threatening fines of up to 5,000 KM for those who insult the Court, and read out the disputed parts of the submissions Bubić had sent to the institution.

A short break followed, after which Uzunović stated that the minutes from this hearing would be submitted to the BiH Court Council for a decision, and the hearing was adjourned.

After the trial, Dodik simply walked past the journalists waiting for his statement outside the Court and got into his car.

At the next hearing, scheduled for October 16, Lukić's defense is expected to present 29 material pieces of evidence accepted by the BiH Court.

It was highlighted today that the Court, at the proposal of Lukić's defense, rejected the submission of the biography of High Representative Christian Schmidt as evidence.

Lukić's defense, in writing and within the requested deadline, responded to the additional evidence from the BiH Prosecutor's Office, stating that they oppose its submission, calling it "new, not additional evidence".

"The Prosecutor's Office does not have the right to conduct a new investigation and present new evidence," is the opinion of Lukić's defense, writes Faktor.