The Banja Luka Police Department banned the public gathering announced by Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the occasion of November 25, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Statehood Day. The same was decided for the Mrkonjic Grad rally of the Anti-Fascist Alliance of BiH (SUBNOR).

“The Banja Luka Police Department made the Decision after analyzing all the security aspects and circumstances of this public meeting, bearing in mind that there have been many negative reactions regarding this rally in recent days, as well as operational information that citizens are being publicly invited by individuals to mass gathering in order to prevent the holding of this rally,” the city Police Administration said, adding that their assessments show there is a real possibility that this rally may result in greater threat to people and property, as well as a serious risk of violence or disruption of public order on a larger scale.

“The Banja Luka Police Department appeals to citizens to respect the positive legal regulations and not to endanger others with their behavior,” they noted.

The SDP announced the ceremonial round table on the occasion of the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the celebration of the anniversary of the session of BiH Anto-Fascist Association (ZAVNOBIH), a date which is not officially celebrated in the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska (RS) entity and which is one of the subjects of dispute among political representatives in the country.

Mrkonjic Grad Police Department also banned the gathering that Alliance of Associations of Fighters of the National Liberation War of Yugoslavia (SUBNOR) BiH planned to organize in this Municipality on the same day.

The announced rally by the Municipal Veterans Organization of Mrkonjic Grad planned for the same day was also banned.

“Taking into account that the meeting of SUBNOR BiH and the Municipal Veterans’ Organization Mrkonjic Grad was announced on the same day at the same place, we believe that due to the gathering of a large number of participants and visitors of the announced rallies, organized by organizations with different program commitments, there is a real danger that by maintaining them, the safety of people and property was threatened and that there would be a serious danger of violence or disruption of public order and peace on a larger scale,” the police said.