Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska stated that it has confiscated 160 fleur-de-lis flags since the start of the year.
“In a period from January 1 to August 20, 2026, 133 police interventions were recorded regarding the aforementioned flags, during which officers confiscated 160 flags,” the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska told ATV.
As the reason for the confiscation of the flags, they cited the disturbance and resentment of citizens, which served as the basis for a security risk assessment aimed at anticipating conditions for the escalation of the situation and potential large-scale breaches of public order and peace, leading to the prosecution of the offenses in question in a manner defined by law.
As stated, police officers are required to enforce the Law on Public Order and Peace, and the display of “war flags and symbols” constitutes a violation of Articles 7 and 8 of that law.
Also, the Ministry of Interior stated that out of 130 issued fines, judicial determination was requested for 15, with proceedings ongoing before the competent courts.
“Out of five initiated proceedings, one has concluded with the court of first instance finding the defendant guilty and imposing a misdemeanor sanction,” they added.
Over the past years, the police in Republika Srpska have confiscated the flags of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina under the excuse of disturbing the public peace and order, and on that occasion, make false statements that it is about war flags.
Last week, Article 359b of the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska came into force, which criminalizes the display of symbols of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, on the ground, the RS Ministry of Interior is confiscating all flags with lilies, and not only those highlighting the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Zvizdić, submitted a request to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a constitutional review and temporary measures which would suspend the application of this article.
As he emphasized, such a law violates the constitutional principle of the rule of law because it opens the door to mass arrests.
“Compared to the previous period when this was a matter of misdemeanor penalization, it can now lead to mass criminal prosecution, along with arrest and detention of people simply for displaying symbols and insignia featuring fleur-de-lis,” Zvizdić said.
