Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said today that Serbia's engagement prevented arrest warrants for the President of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian entity of Republika Srpska (RS), Milorad Dodik, and the Speaker of the RS Parliament, Nenad Stevandić, from becoming enforceable.
As the statement says, this "ensures the safety" of Serbian citizens, namely Dodik and Stevandić.
On March 27, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina requested that Interpol issue a red notice for Dodik and Stevandić, on suspicion that they committed the criminal offense of "attacking the constitutional order of BiH."
Serbia has sent a protest note to Interpol regarding the arrest warrant for Dodik and Stevandić, assessing that it violates an article of the statute that states that any activity in cases that have a political, military, religious or racial background is strictly prohibited.
Ivica Dačić stated on March 27 that Dodik and Stevandić are citizens of Serbia and that the international arrest warrants that BiH is referring to do not constitute grounds for action because they have not passed the check to ensure that the conditions have been met.
Dacic stated in a statement on April 1 that the request for international arrest warrants is currently in the phase of "preliminary review by the International Wanted and Diffusion Task Force (NDTF) at Interpol, which is checking compliance with the organization's statute and rules."
The final decision is made by the Commission for the Control of Interpol Files (CCF), which meets at least three times a year, and according to a statement from the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the next session is scheduled for the period between April 7th and 11th.
"The Republic of Serbia respects international institutions and the legal framework, but will not deviate from its procedures in protecting the rights and interests of its citizens," the statement reads.
It added that Serbia will remain committed to this process and will actively participate in all steps, "to ensure that the decision is made in favor of our citizens, justice and legality."
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