Milorad Dodik travels to Israel despite arrest warrant from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska, has traveled to Israel to attend a two-day conference on antisemitism, despite an active arrest warrant issued by Bosnia and Herzegovina. The trip comes just one day after he appeared in Serbia at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1999 NATO air campaign that ended the Kosovo war.
Why is this important: Dodik is under a nationwide arrest warrant issued by the Bosnian state prosecutor, meaning any police officer, including border officials, is authorized to detain him. His ability to cross borders and leave the country has raised serious concerns about the enforcement of judicial authority and political impunity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Context: Dodik is accused of undermining the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina by refusing to implement decisions of the Constitutional Court. His visit to Serbia included a public appearance alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. It remains unclear how Dodik crossed the border, though reports suggest he may have avoided regular land or air routes, possibly traveling by helicopter.
In Israel, Dodik posted on X (formerly Twitter), praising Israel’s resolve and drawing parallels between the Jewish and Serbian peoples.
“Israel demonstrates that freedom and security are priceless,” he wrote. “Just as Israel unapologetically defends itself, Republika Srpska defends its right to exist and honor the legacy of our ancestors.”
What else: Bosnia’s border police have opened an investigation into how Dodik managed to leave the country while under an arrest order. His public appearance abroad — and his meeting with Vučić — has drawn criticism from pro-EU political forces in Bosnia, who see it as further defiance of state institutions.
The conference in Israel is expected to feature senior Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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