Subpoena and disciplinary action in one day: Dodik fights back Salihovic via Tegeltija

Only a few hours after BH Chief Prosecutor, Goran Salihovic, opened an investigation and subpoenaed Milorad Dodik to hearing as a suspect in relation to his failing to implement a decision of the Constitutional Court, the High Judiciary and Prosecutor Council BiH reacted by starting a disciplinary action against Salihovic.

The public was informed that the Office of Disciplinary Prosecutor had issued a disciplinary charge against Salihovic on the account of 'breach of duty'.

There is a lot of room for speculations and a variety of interpretations in this case, as to who is against whom, and whether this may be just another setup.

The High Judicial and Prosecutor Council (VSTV) is headed by Milan Tegeltija, Dodik's man of confidence. His career in judiciary institutions in BiH has been tainted by scandals from the very beginning.

He came to the top of VSTV with a burden – a criminal charge; as the president of the Basic Court in Banja Luka, he participated in an illegitimate expropriation of property of an entrepreneur, Dzevad Haznadar. The Prosecutor's Office BiH has been investigating this case for years.

The case has not been closed yet due to strong relations between Tegeltija and Milorad Dodik.

Even Tegeltija's coming to the position in VSTV was scandalous. Due to the criminal charge filed by Haznadar against Tegeltija, he could not have been appointed to the position of Chairman of VSTV. However, Dodik pulled some strings and Tegeltija took over the position. On 9 January this year, Tegeltija showed disrespect for decisions of the Constitutional Court BiH by standing in the first row of celebration event of this nonconstitutional holiday in Banja Luka.

Hence the 'coincidence' whereby within only a few hours Salihovic summons Dodik to hearing and Dodik's man Tegeltija issues a disciplinary charge against Salihovic, leaves room for speculations. Has everything been set up and, if there is a basis for the charge against Salihovic, how come it was not issued last week but only yesterday?