RS PM defies ban, says he’ll visit Bosnia Armed Forces Barracks on May 12 military event in Banja Luka

Commenting on Helez’s directive to the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH), which prohibits entry to Viskovic, RS President Milorad Dodik, and National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandic, the entity’s Prime Minister accused the Minister of overstepping his authority. “The Defence Minister is not thinking straight,” Viskovic told Banja Luka media.

“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about, nor does he understand his own jurisdiction. He is not the supreme commander of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’m not going to Konjic, Mostar, or Sarajevo — I’m going to Banja Luka. And Helez is the one who is banned from entering Banja Luka,” Viskovic stated.

He further claimed that Helez was using political “pamphlets and smoke bombs” to seek media attention, suggesting that the Minister would appear more rational if he remained silent.

On May 8, Helez issued a formal order to deny access to all three officials to military premises ahead of the May 12 celebration in Banja Luka. The move comes amid ongoing legal proceedings, as the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued internal warrants for Dodik, Viskovic, and Stevandic for failing to appear before the state Prosecutor’s Office. The trio is under investigation for alleged actions constituting an attack on the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina.