Bosnia’s semi-autonomous Republika Srpska (RS) entity is introducing a life sentence for perpetrators of the gravest of crimes after neighbouring Serbia recently adopted ‘Tijana’s Law’, RS Justice Minister Anton Kasipovic said on Saturday.

The maximum prison sentence in the RS now is 45 years but this is about to change after the RS Government adopted a draft law on amendments to the criminal code on Friday.

The changes were initiated by the ruling party in the entity, the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), to introduce life sentences for grave murderers and rapists of children, as well as those who murder pregnant women and infirm persons.

A similar law, dubbed ‘Tijana's Law’, was introduced in Serbia after the 2014 abduction, rape and murder of 15-year-old Tijana Juric. The killer is serving a 40-year sentence.