KOŠARAC: VERDICT AGAINST PRESIDENT DODIK, THE FINAL NAIL INTO BiH's COFFIN

EAST SARAJEVO, AUGUST 1 /SRNA/ - Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac told SRNA that today's shameful and politically motivated verdict against the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik represents the final proof that there is no longer a trace of independent judiciary in Sarajevo, or any effort to preserve the semblance of the constitutional order.

"With this verdict, the political principals from Sarajevo, with the support of part of the international community, have driven the final nail into BiH’s coffin. Instead of the rule of law, there is rule by pressure. Instead of justice – political revenge," Košarac said, commenting on the second-instance verdict of the extra-constitutional BiH Court against Dodik.

He stated that President Dodik was punished because he defended the constitutional jurisdictions of Republika Srpska and refused to be a puppet of Sarajevo and the OHR.

"That is his `guilt,` if you ask those who have long been pulling the strings from the shadows," Košarac emphasized.

He said that support for President Dodik at this moment is not only a political, but also a moral obligation for all who believe in Republika Srpska and its institutional integrity.

"As I have emphasized many times, this is not an attack on one man, but on Republika Srpska. It is clear that the goal of such processes is to stifle the institutions of Srpska and silence those who dare to oppose the impositions and unconstitutional actions of the OHR," Košarac stressed.

However, he pointed out, Republika Srpska was not born out of fear, nor will it disappear because of rigged verdicts.

"We will remain united and determined in defending our rights, legitimately elected representatives, and institutions. No one can and must not criminalize love for Srpska," Košarac said.

The Appeals Chamber of the Court of BiH upheld the first-instance verdict against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, sentencing him to one year in prison and banning him from political activity for six years for "failing to comply" with the decisions of Christian Schmidt.