Rights group urges EU sanctions on Dodik and scrutiny of Trump-linked business ties

The organisation highlighted reports of Trump advisers providing election-related services to the leadership of Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s predominantly Serb entity, alongside business interests surrounding a major gas project and the removal of US sanctions.

Belma Zulcic, director of GfbV in Bosnia, said the EU should draw its own conclusions from these connections and shape its Bosnia policy independently of Washington.

She urged European leaders to make clear that Bosnia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order must not become bargaining chips in political deals or commercial arrangements.

Sanctions and financial scrutiny

GfbV called for targeted EU sanctions and a thorough review of European financial and investment relationships.

It recalled that Washington had sanctioned Dodik over obstruction of the Dayton peace agreement, destabilising activities and corruption allegations, subsequently extending measures to individuals and companies in his network.

The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control removed Dodik and numerous associated individuals and businesses from its sanctions list on October 29, 2025. Office of Foreign Assets Control

GfbV noted that Britain, Germany and Austria had taken measures against Dodik, while the EU had not imposed sanctions on him or his associates.

If a common EU decision is blocked, the organisation urged Germany and other member states to coordinate and expand national measures. European funding, it said, should not strengthen structures that undermine Bosnia’s institutions or territorial integrity.

Advisers and energy interests

The statement cited US media reports that Chris LaCivita and James Blair travelled to Republika Srpska before the elections and allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars each for election-related advice through a Washington law firm retained by its government.

It also highlighted Zeljka Cvijanovic’s September meeting with Susie Wiles at the White House and Katie Wiles’s August visit to the entity.

Separately, GfbV pointed to the planned Southern Gas Interconnection, valued at around $1.7 billion in its statement.

It said AAFS Infrastructure & Energy, led by Joseph Flynn, brother of former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, and former Trump lawyer Jesse Binnall, was expected to play a central role.

GfbV cited allegations by Democratic House members that the administration used political influence to benefit the company. It called for disclosure of beneficial ownership, lobbying contracts and potential conflicts of interest in major investment projects.