Serbia's National Security Council does not accept Dodik's verdict, Vučić says he is afraid of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Patria) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić addressed the media after a session of the National Security Council, which adopted several conclusions following the final verdict of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina against Milorad Dodik, sentencing him to one year in prison and a six-year ban on political activity.

Vučić said that the verdict was politically prepared under pressure, to the extent that political parties threatened to take to the streets if there was no conviction.

"This was even done by the party of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, those who talk to you about the rule of law, and then determine the verdict and its disposition based on how many protesters they can bring out," Vučić said.

He said he spoke with two world leaders and was told what Serbia's behavior should be.

"I said I understand, but that Serbia is a sovereign state and makes its own decisions. We will do our best to preserve peace and stability, but all of this was done by Western powers. Even when I offered a compromise with the RS, now I understand why they turned a blind eye. They had already made the verdict. Now I know it was a mistake for Dodik to go to Sarajevo for Džuvo to drive him for the lifting of detention, thinking they had changed their attitude. I have learned not to trust those foreigners," Vučić said.

He emphasized that this is the most difficult situation for Serbia since 2008 and that the question is how and where all this will end, and that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina fills him with fear.

"That is why our insistence on preserving peace and stability is important. The decision is directed against both the RS and the Serbian people," Vučić said.

He read out the adopted conclusions condemning the second-instance verdict.

"The second-instance verdict of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which confirmed the first-instance verdict sentencing the President of the RS to one year in prison and a six-year ban from holding the office of President of the RS, for disobeying the decisions of the illegal and illegitimate representative of the international community, Christian Schmidt, as a political criminal offense of a verbal delict, is strongly condemned. These decisions of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, although rendered in the 21st century, are undemocratic, anti-civilizational, and immoral, deeply unlawful, contrary to democratic principles and the principles of the right to freedom of expression, popular decisions, and sovereignty, and also in contradiction with the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina based on the Dayton Peace Agreement, representing a serious political blow to the Serbian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dayton Agreement. Therefore, Serbia does not accept the aforementioned decision of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and at the same time, these verdicts represent a security-destabilizing factor.

Point two: The Council notes that the security and political situation in the region has been seriously disrupted, with a tendency for further deterioration and incitement of inter-ethnic conflicts. We call on all actors to remain calm."

One of the conclusions also refers to the diplomatic and legal activities of Serbia that will be undertaken with the aim of preserving the RS in accordance with Dayton.

"Serbia will oppose any imposed reorganization of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including repressive measures against elected representatives. The stability of the region is a vital national interest of Serbia," Vučić said.

The Republic of Serbia does not accept the verdict of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina by which the President of the RS @MiloradDodik was convicted, said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić after the session of the National Security Council. pic.twitter.com/DZI34NoGmx

— Istraga.ba (@IstragaB) August 2, 2025

Vučić added that Dodik is welcome in Serbia and that he expects him tomorrow, and that even if there is an arrest warrant for Dodik, it will not happen in Serbia.