Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated on April 4 in Sarajevo that sanctions imposed by that country and Germany against the president of the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and two other individuals had come into force.
The introduction of sanctions was announced in a joint statement by Meinl-Reisinger and German State Minister for Europe and Climate Anna Luhrmann.
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The sanctions ban Dodik from entering Austria and Germany, as well as two other people from the top of Republika Srpska (RS).
An investigation is underway against the President of the Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, the President of the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, and the Prime Minister of that BiH entity, Radovan Višković, on suspicion that their activities have violated the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A central arrest warrant has been issued for them, as they are refusing to respond to summonses for questioning in that investigation.
"Entry and transit through Austria has already come into effect. I think it is wise to support de-escalation and encourage dialogue. The institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina must resolve this crisis. But we also have our own interests when someone crosses the red line," said Meinl-Reisinger after talks with BiH Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković in Sarajevo on April 4.
She pointed out that by banning Dodik from entering, Austria and Germany wanted to "express support for a country whose future lies in the European Union."
"I think it is clear to say that Milorad Dodik's recent actions are threats to the stability and constitutional order, as well as the territorial integrity of BiH. We are closely monitoring the proceedings against him and are aware that Dodik is ignoring these proceedings and has left the country several times," said the Austrian minister.
Minister Konaković pointed out that Dodik is "collapsing the judicial system in BiH," and that people live in fear that the situation could worsen.
"Dodik is now awaiting a second-instance verdict and is provoking the BiH Prosecutor's Office and the Court of BiH by not appearing in new cases initiated against him," Konaković said.
The RS government, led by pro-Russian leader Dodik, is trying to destroy the fundamental institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina through a series of anti-constitutional decisions and laws.
Dodik, along with his family members and key political associates, is already on the United States sanctions list, and sanctions have also been imposed by the United Kingdom.
He also refuses to accept the verdict of the Court of BiH, which sentenced him in the first instance to a one-year prison sentence and a six-year ban on political activity for disrespecting the decisions of the High Representative of BiH.
Together with the presidents of the RS Parliament and Government, Nenad Stevandić and Radovan Višković, Dodik also refuses to respond to the summons of the judicial institutions that charge them with violating the constitutional order of BiH, which is why they found themselves on the country's central wanted list six months ago, and are still resisting arrest.
In addition, the RS is threatening to file criminal charges against those living in that entity and working in BiH institutions if they do not comply with the demands of Dodik's majority to leave state institutions.
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