Sarajevo associations of veterans called off the peaceful protest they planned for January 9, when the authorities of Bosnia's Republika Srpska entity mark the unconstitutional holiday of the Day of Republika Srpska, in a solemn ceremony in the neighbouring city of Istocno Sarajevo.

The information was confirmed by Minister of Internal Affairs of the Federation entity (FBiH) Aljosa Campara, who met with the representatives of the said associations on Thursday evening after they announced the gathering and blocking of streets that connect the two cities.

According to the statement issued by the minister's office, it was emphasised that the police officers of Sarajevo Canton will take all measures and activities within the scope of their competencies and increase controls, in order to protect the citizens and property in Sarajevo Canton.

The citizens were urged not to fall for “inflammatory rhetoric and provocations.”

Sarajevo police to increase presence on unconstitutional Day of RS entity

Sarajevo police said on Thursday it would increase its presence on the territory of Sarajevo Canton on January 9, cantonal Ministry of Interior said after veteran associations announced they would set up checkpoints on the inter-entity boundary line towards Republika Srpska, which will hold central ceremony of the unconstitutional holiday of the Day of Republika Srpska in the neighbouring city of Istocno Sarajevo.

Former members of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, gathered around the ‘Green Berets’ association, announced the “peaceful protests” alongside the inter-entity boundary line, demanding from police to stop the traffic on those streets between the cities of Sarajevo and Istocno Sarajevo.

They said they “legally” submitted their request to the police, explaining that the protest is aimed against the “provocation of the Serb separatists on January 9.”

The main celebration of the Day of Republika Srpska, which Bosnia's Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional as it takes place on a religious Orthodox feast and thus discriminates other minorities in that part of the country, has been moved from the entity's administrative centre Banja Luka for the first time.