MITROVIĆ: JUDGMENT AGAINST DODIK - SEVERE BLOW TO THE LAW

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 3 /SRNA/ – Law professor Ljubinko Mitrović told SRNA that the judgment against the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, represents a severe blow to the law, and is fundamentally the result of the actions of Christian Schmidt, an illegal and illegitimate High Representative.

Mitrović emphasized that the guilty judgment did not surprise him, since an acquittal would have meant the defeat and end of Schmidt and his administration.

"If we add to this the tense atmosphere in Sarajevo, including open intimidation of the judicial panel," said Mitrović, "then law and legal norms are pushed aside."

"In the atmosphere that has been created in recent days, let me remind you of statements made by Elmedin Konaković, Denis Zvizdić, and other Bosniak politicians in recent months - it was difficult to expect the three judges to deliver a different decision," Mitrović said.

According to him, it is an open secret that a significant number of people holding judicial positions seek opinions from the OHR, certain foreign embassies, or other international organisations.

Mitrović stated that by enacting decisions amending the Criminal Code of BiH, although illegal, Schmidt paved the way for the judiciary at the BiH level in future decision-making process.

"The fact is that this judgment will now serve as judicial precedent; its adoption makes it part of judicial practice in this unfortunate and completely illogical country. What does that mean? It gives overzealous prosecutors the ability to initiate new proceedings and file new indictments against many citizens simply because Schmidt or, tomorrow, some other High Representative does not like them," Mitrović said.

He pointed out that the very name of the criminal offense, “non-compliance with the decisions of the High Representative,” indicates complete absolutism in a single individual who, after this judgment, can do anything.

"Disregarding his decision, regardless of what it entails or its content, leads to criminal liability and a prison sentence," Mitrović stressed.

He emphasized that the verdict handed down to the president of Republika Srpska is a severe blow to the law.

"As someone who has worked with legal norms for 45 years, I must say this judgment is a crushing defeat for the law, for my fellow legal professionals, and for all the principles and rules I explain daily to students. It renders everything meaningless, and I am particularly concerned about the principles upon which this country will develop in the future," said Mitrović.

He concluded by saying that the law is on President Dodik’s side, and that Dodik will certainly prove it.

The Appellate Panel of the Court of BiH upheld the first-instance judgment sentencing President Dodik to one year in prison and banning him from political activity for six years due to non-compliance with the decisions of Christian Schmidt.