DODIK: MIA MEMBERS WERE DOING THEIR JOB

EAST SARAJEVO, APRIL 24 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik said that members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs /MIA/ of Republika Srpska were simply doing their job while securing the Administrative Center of Republika Srpska in East Sarajevo, and that they did not allow members of the unconstitutional State Investigation and Protection Agency /SIPA/ to enter the building.

"MIA officers were there to secure the building and individuals. That is their daily job, whether I am present or not. They are tasked with protecting that facility," Dodik told reporters in East Sarajevo.

He said that three SIPA inspectors showed up last night in front of the Administrative Center, did not present any documents, and demanded to enter the building.

"It is the police’s job to prevent them from doing that, and they told them this is not a place where they have jurisdiction," said Dodik, adding that Republika Srpska will defend itself through its institutions.

The president questioned the method being used, asking, “What kind of approach is it to suddenly prosecute the president of the Republic, the speaker of the National Assembly, the prime minister, and the ministers?”

"What kind of approach is it to pretend to be a state where 49 percent is Republika Srpska? You from the Federation of BiH can interpret it however you want, but it is not natural, and it is not in the character of Serbs to surrender, and we will not surrender," Dodik said.

Dodik called for respect for BiH based on the Dayton Agreement, stating that it can only be Dayton Agreement-based and as agreed by the partners, not one that will be imposed from Sarajevo.

Last night, members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska removed police officers from the unconstitutional SIPA from in front of the Administrative Center of Republika Srpska in East Sarajevo, during a meeting between President Dodik, the mayor, and municipal heads of the city.

The SIPA operation in East Sarajevo was led by Elvir Ademović, the brother of the former head of the AID, Kemal Ademović, and Zijad Landžo, who is suspected of war crimes against Serbs in Konjic.