The Austrian newspaper Der Standard writes that it has received information from “diplomatic sources” that “EUFOR is ready to support the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA)” in apprehending the president of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian (BiH) entity Republika Srpska (RS), Milorad Dodik, “if it receives the appropriate order.”
The article, which primarily focuses on protests in Serbia, also states that security experts estimate that there could be an “initiation of violence” in BiH.
Furthermore, it was stated that Saturday’s demonstrations in Belgrade, which threatened the rule of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, could have direct consequences on the situation in BiH.
“Since the president of the BiH entity RS, Milorad Dodik, is also under strong pressure, security experts estimate that violence could be initiated in this entity with the help of radical groups or criminal elements so that Dodik can present himself as a victim,” writes Der Standard.
The newspaper recalls that an arrest warrant for Dodik has been issued because he failed to respond to the Prosecutor’s Office’s summons.
“The judicial police have asked SIPA to assist in arresting Dodik. However, SIPA will do so only if accompanied by soldiers from EUFOR’s military mission. According to diplomatic sources, Der Standard has learned that EUFOR is ready to support SIPA in Dodik’s apprehension if it receives the appropriate order. The decision on this can be made directly by EUFOR’s Romanian general, Florin-Marian Barbu. Ultimately, NATO command in Sarajevo could also intervene,” writes Der Standard.
Moreover, the newspaper states that Dodik might attempt to find another “solution” and flee the country.
“Dodik plans to fly to Moscow on March 19th. It is assumed that he has received the green light from the Kremlin for further escalation. So far, however, his calls for Serbs employed in state police agencies to transfer to the RS police have not borne fruit. Given that Dodik is also cornered, security experts believe that incidents could occur in RS with the help of radical groups or criminal elements so that Dodik can present himself as a victim,” the newspaper concluded.
