Eavesdropping on the opposition in the Republika Srpska (RS), truth or politicking? This topic is relevant again after the last statements of the President of RS, Milorad Dodik. Apart from denying it, the competent institutions have never conducted any kind of investigation. Experts say that eavesdropping is possible in many ways, but that it is difficult to prove and that it is even illegal without a warrant.
“Let Mr. Milicevic say that this did not happen, and we will tell him exactly when he spoke with Mr. Trisic and the others who said they would attack him,” says Milorad Dodik, President of RS.
This statement again raised the topic of illegal wiretapping of the opposition in the RS. Milan Milicevic, the first man of the SDS, says that this was also discussed in 2019. He never reacted and checked.
“What I personally say on my phone or what we talk about at the meetings of the SDS Presidency is not a conspiracy against anyone, but our clear views are no secret and cannot be dangerous. I will also say, it is not pleasant to have the feeling and knowledge that someone is eavesdropping on you,” said Milan Milicevic, acting president of SDS.
“No, it’s not, no. We don’t eavesdrop. That would be a pointless use of resources on insignificant things. What’s the point of eavesdropping on them? But they themselves are talking here about who called, what they did,” Dodik stated.
It is not the first time that the authorities threaten the opposition and deny the wiretapping of telephone conversations. For now, all that remains is denial.
Excerpt from the session of the National Assembly of the RS (NARS) (May 20th, 2020): “Lukac, is what you are saying to me true? Is it correct? Here is a man who is a witness. If only you knew how they smear you. Do you want me to deliver it to you? To see how they love you. You won’t because you would argue with him. There is no government that doesn’t listen to the opposition. That’s how we listen to you, let it end.”
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the RS does not eavesdrop on the opposition. There are clear procedures defined by law for such a thing. This is politicking, Minister Karan said.
“That sector and a large part of the sector, especially that sector is under the supervision of a special committee, the Security Committee of the NARS, and they always have the possibility to control something like that. So, absolutely the sphere of politics,” Sinisa Karan emphasized, Minister of Internal Affairs of RS.
Wiretapping equipment is available, as are consumer goods. Without a warrant from the prosecution and court approval, any wiretapping is illegal.
“Unfortunately, in the milieu of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the region, institutions are still politicized. Depoliticization has not been carried out and often, parts, we will not say all, parts of institutions, which are made up of individuals, unfortunately, can be abused. We have to fight against that,” Dusko Vejnovic explained, professor of security sciences.
Apart from media questioning, there was never a real fight. None of the competent institutions conducted an investigation into possible illegal wiretapping.
