The primary role of the police of Republika Srpska (RS), Bosnia's Serb-majority region, is maintaining peace and order on behalf of a great majority of citizens who respect the law, the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina said on Thursday, commenting on media allegations that the RS Interior Ministry is planning to purchase remote control weapon used on military vehicles.

“The question to ask the authorities of the RS is why they believe it is necessary to purchase the military-class heavy weapons for its police forces and what is the security threat that would justify the use of such deadly weapon,” the international envoy's office, in charge of overseeing the implementation of the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, told Fena news agency.

The statement comes days after some media outlets published the information that the RS Interior Ministry approached relevant institutions at the state level with a request to get the approval for import of Rogue Lite remote control weapon station with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm caliber.

According to the request, the weapon would be installed on the vehicle produced by the ‘Tehnicki remont’ company in the eastern town Bratunac, in line with the obligations stemming from the purchase contract between this company and the RS Interior Ministry.

“The RS authorities should provide a public and transparent explanation, especially now when available funds should be used for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and to mitigate economic consequences that citizens are struggling with,” the OHR said.