The Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, Milorad Dodik, said that the middle finger he presented as he was leaving the BiH Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday was not meant for journalists as a whole in the country, but specifically for journalists from BN TV.

N1’s Aleksandra Tolj Ruzic confronted Dodik about the way he “greeted” journalists during a press conference where he spoke about the case later that day.

“I did not see you, it did not apply to you and it was not meant for the journalistic community. I would like you to show this kind of solidarity when the Americans imposed sanctions on your colleagues from ATV,” Dodik said, referring to the recent decision by the US to sanction the media outlet Alternativna TV (ATV) which is connected to him.

Dodik explained that his reaction at that moment was “the product of a long-term relationship with BN television,” referring to a media outlet critical of him.

He also noted that the Dnevni Avaz newspaper reported everything that happened in the Prosecutor's Office, arguing that “this shows they are connected.”

“I presented my middle finger to that connection. I can show it again now if you want me to,” he said.

“For years, some in the media, together with a foreign factor, have been persecuting me and my family. Every day, so many lies are told about me,” Dodik said.

“If they expect me to applaud them, I'm sorry but I won't. I can't applaud non-professionals. As a public figure, I have an obligation to tolerate criticism, but I have no obligation to tolerate lies. My reaction today was meant for the people who have been spreading animosity towards me and my family for years. I feel sorry for professional journalists who do their job honestly, but there are also thugs who are involved in the propaganda that is being spread,” he said.

“My reaction came when I recognised the journalists and cameramen of BN TV. That middle finger was for them, absolutely not for you,” he said.