Top international official in Bosnia cuts financing for ruling Serb parties to pressure separatists
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — The top international official in Bosnia on Thursday cut all budgetary financing for ruling political parties in the Serb-run part of the country, increasing the pressure on the entity's pro-Russian president who is wanted over his separatist policies.
Christian Schmidt, a German diplomat tasked with overseeing peace in Bosnia, accused the leadership of the Serb-run Republika Srpska entity of undermining the Dayton accords that ended the 1992-95 war in the country.
Schmidt announced his move a day after Bosnian state police officers attempted to detain Milorad Dodik, the president of Republika Srpska, but were prevented by armed Bosnian Serb police.
Schmidt's Office of the High Representative has the authority to change and impose laws in Bosnia.
Dodik is wanted for undermining Bosnia's constitution with a series of laws boosting the independence of the Serb-run half of the country. Bosnian courts issued an arrest warrant for Dodik in March after he failed to appear for questioning.
Schmidt said his decision on Thursday 'supports the efforts by institutions of Bosnia-Herzegovina to counter the ongoing flagrant attacks ... against the fundamental principles of the Dayton peace agreement and the constitutional and legal order.'
Dodik has repeatedly called for the separation of the Serb-dominated territory from the rest of Bosnia, fueling fears of instability. He has faced U.S. and British sanctions for his separatism, but has had the support of Moscow.
The suspension of budgetary funds for Dodik's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats and allied United Srpska parties applies to all levels of government in Bosnia, Schmidt said. Those who fail to apply it will be held accountable, he added.
Dodik on Thursday rejected Schmidt's moves as illegal, threatening to arrest the German official if he came to Republika Srpska. 'It is impossible to accept this. Republika Srpska will not accept it,' Dodik said.
Wednesday's botched attempt to detain Dodik reflects ongoing tensions in Bosnia years after the war which killed more than 100,000 people and displaced millions. The country is formally seeking European Union entry but progress has been stalled.
The Bosnian State Investigation and Security Agency, or SIPA, said its officers gave up on their attempt to detain Dodik at a Republika Srpska government building east of the capital Sarajevo on Wednesday to avoid any incidents with the Serb armed police.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
34 minutes ago
- New York Post
Ukraine's surprise strike deep in Russia — an excellent way to push Putin to talk peace
Hand it to the Ukrainians: They're not only fighting heroically on, more than three years after Moscow launched its savage and utterly unprovoked war to destroy their nation, they're fighting with cheek and style. The latest, of course, is Sunday's surprise drone strikes on airbases deep inside Russia, targeting strategic warplanes that have been pummeling mostly-civilian targets in Ukraine. It counts as an intelligence coup, too: The drones were infiltrated to near their final targets over months, with Vladimir Putin's massive internal-surveillance agencies left utterly in the dark. Advertisement Then again, Vlad's secret police were caught clueless back when the Wagner Group launched its aborted coup two years back: Putin should be losing sleep over what else his minions might be missing. And any Russian patriots looking to save their country from his disastrous misrule can only be emboldened. Nor can Moscow complain that Kyiv launched these strikes on the eve of a fresh set of peace talks: Putin is the one who's refusing any kind of ceasefire, and he's had his forces in overdrive ever since President Donald Trump launched his diplomatic drive to stop the slaughter. Advertisement Kyiv was entirely right not to let Washington know these strikes were coming, by the way: As the Israelis will tell you, the DC defense establishment has a recently-proven track record of broadcasting our friends' war plans against even mutual enemies like Iran. A single American loose lip could've alerted Moscow to the operation — turning it into from a Russian humiliation into a bitter loss for Ukraine. Adding to Kyiv's panache points here, the damaged planes — $7 billion worth, the Ukrainians estimate even as the Russians of course claim the whole thing failed — included many of the strategic bombers central to Moscow's ultimate 'doomsday' deterrent. Advertisement That is: Putin and his spokes-toads have spent the last three years pointedly hinting they'd go nuclear if the West helps Ukraine 'too much'; it's pure poetic justice if his refusal to make peace has now left Russia vulnerable to a nuclear first strike. It's more clear than ever that Putin won't make peace unless and until continued his warmaking threatens him. Ukraine's audacious attack had done just that; the Senate should double down on the message by passing the bipartisan secondary-sanctions bill ASAP. Make Putin fear for his own survival; it's all he truly cares about.
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
Several injured in 'targeted terror attack' near Colorado mall
June 1 (UPI) -- Several people were injured in a mall shooting that police are calling a "target terror attack" in Boulder, Co. Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel said. A suspect is in custody. "Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available, Patel said, according to ABC News. The incident occurred just before 1:30p.m. MDT at Pearl St. Mall where a group was gathered in a peaceful pro-Israel demonstration, known as the Boulder Run for their Lives event. The Anti Defamation League said it was aware of the attack. "ADL is monitoring the situation in Colorado as we approach the holiday of Shavuot," it said in a statement on Facebook. Police responded to reports of a man wielding a weapon and that people were being set on fire, a statement on social media from the Boulder Police Department said. It said there were multiple burn victims on the scene. Witnesses told local media that the suspect attacked victims with Molotov cocktails. Police established an evacuation zone and directed people to avoid the area. Emergency medical crews transported several victims to local hospitals, some of whom sustained life-threatening injuries, police said. Please check back for updates as this is a developing story.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Targeted terror attack' in Colorado - reports of several victims
The FBI says it is investigating a "targeted terror attack" in Colorado - with reports a man threw petrol bombs at people at a pro-Israel event. FBI Director Kash Patel said agents were on the scene and working with local law enforcement. Witnesses told US media the attacker threw Molotov cocktails at people doing a walk to remember Israeli hostages in Gaza. A male suspect is in custody. Local police said there were "several victims" and a large part of the downtown area had been cordoned off. Police chief Steve Redfearn said it happened around 1.26pm local time and initial reports were that "people were being set on fire". He said some victims were in hospital and injuries ranged from "very serious" to "minor". "When we arrived we encountered multiple victims that were injured, with injuries consistent with burns," Mr Redfearn told the media. He said a suspect had been pointed out and taken into custody without incident. "This area is not safe yet and we're dealing with a vehicle of interest," he added. Mr Redfearn said it happened as a "group of pro-Israel people" were taking part in a peaceful demonstration - but that the motive was unconfirmed and it was too early to call it a terror attack. In an earlier post on X, police said the incident is believed to have happened at 13th and Pearl streets. Boulder is a popular university city of about 105,000 people in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just to the northwest of Denver. This story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the latest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
