Dodik rejects detention order, issues defiant statements against BiH authorities

“Today is my birthday, and I received this as a ‘gift’ from Sarajevo. But today is also a celebratory day because we are launching the process of changing the RS Constitution,” Dodik said.

He called on the public to participate in discussions on the new constitution, insisting that it was not intended to contradict the BiH Constitution.

Dodik accused prosecutors of working with “Muslims” (a reference to Bosniaks, a constituent people of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and High Representative Christian Schmidt—whom he dismissed as a “foreigner”—to undermine Republika Srpska.
“This is a worthless, politically motivated move because this alleged offence does not exist in BiH law. They are violating everything and trying to create a new reality.

We’ll see what the final reality will be. There is no need for anyone to be disturbed by this—we certainly are not,” Dodik stated.

“I will never leave RS”

In his speech, Dodik indirectly labeled the opposition and NGOs as a “sect” freely roaming RS, warning them that a new RS law on NGOs had taken effect and that a special RS court and prosecution office would be introduced to handle such matters. He then announced: “We will abolish the Special Prosecutor’s Office today.”

“There is no hardship or attack that I am not willing to endure for RS. Milorad Dodik will continue to do his work and travel, but I will never leave RS,” he declared.

He went on to hurl further insults at the opposition, claiming they were acting hastily because they lacked confidence in their own actions.

“They are in a rush because they are unsure of what they are doing in BiH. Everything about this is absurd,” Dodik added.

In another controversial statement, he denied Bosnia and Herzegovina’s centuries-old statehood, claiming: “It was never created to be a state.” This contradicts the BiH Constitution, which he has repeatedly claimed to respect.

“We did not want escalation, but we are forced to respond”

Dodik revisited discussions on the original ministries established after the signing of the Dayton Agreement while ignoring the fact that all additional institutions were created with the approval of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, which includes members of his own Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) party and other RS political representatives.

He accused Bosniak politicians of “trying to dismantle RS for years” and claimed that his actions were a necessary response.

“We didn’t want this kind of escalation, but we are forced to act. I believe I have the support of the people and of political forces dedicated to preserving RS,” he said.

Dodik once again equated himself with the RS entity, urging citizens to stand by him. He also made a controversial interpretation of the RS Constitution, stating:

“Nowhere does it say that the RS Constitution must follow the BiH Constitution—only that it must not contradict it. That is a difference.”

Warnings to SIPA, EUFOR, and allegations against Bosniaks

Dodik insisted that there were no military, police, or paramilitary formations in RS and accused state authorities of trying to force RS police to act against its own leadership.

“They want RS police to arrest us and hand us over,” he said, while directing further insults at BiH prosecutors, particularly targeting their religious and ethnic backgrounds—statements that could be subject to legal consequences.

“Today, my colleagues and I will file charges against such actions,” Dodik announced.

He also stated that he would meet with all RS representatives working in BiH institutions to decide on their next steps.

“They want to see Milorad Dodik in handcuffs. This is an Inquisition-style Prosecutor’s Office and Court,” he said, while thanking Serbian prosecutors for not signing the arrest order.

Dodik issued a direct warning to the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA):

“RS will stick to its own laws. The BiH Prosecutor’s Office and Court are banned here. I would not recommend SIPA to act against us, and I believe they won’t. I trust RS police. Next in line for attack would be RS police, RS property, and then Serbian Orthodox Church property,” he claimed.

He also stated that he believed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina would soon resemble the dissolution of Yugoslavia:

“In a few months, the situation on the ground will look just like when Yugoslavia fell apart.”

Dodik then made inflammatory claims, falsely alleging that “Bosniaks are persecuting Serbs” and openly confronting EUFOR’s Romanian commander, dismissing his presence in Bosnia as a career move and declaring that his threats were meaningless.

“I will ask the Russians to withdraw their consent for Operation ALTHEA,” Dodik announced, referring to the EU peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. However, his BiH Presidency colleague and SNSD member Zeljka Cvijanovic had earlier called for increased EUFOR and NATO presence—a contradiction that led Dodik to soften his message slightly after an intervention by National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandic.

Contradictions and attacks on the press

At the end of his speech, Dodik attempted to shift tone, stating that he would stand “on the side of any Bosniak or Croat if they experience mistreatment.”
Finally, he directed his anger at journalists, making dismissive comments before issuing an insincere apology: “I don’t mean to offend you.”