International community's High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina condemned attempts to display the inter-entity boundary line - an administrative line separating Bosnia's two entities, as a line of separation, calling it a “cheap manipulation of citizens.”

“High Representative Christian Schmidt reminds that it is irresponsible to stage divisive political events at the Inter-Entity Boundary Line. The Inter-Entity Boundary Line is not a border between the RS and the FBiH, but purely administrative line,” the Office of the High Representative said in a statement posted on social platforms.

The comment comes a day after organisers of a protest of support for Republika Srpska (RS) entity President Milorad Dodik called citizens to gather along the inter-entity boundary line, since the Sarajevo police banned initially planned gathering in front of the State Prosecutor's Office and Court.

Political war of words starts over pro-Dodik rally on inter-entity boundary line

The protest is response to the indictment against Dodik and acting director of RS Official Gazette Milos Lukic over their refusal to implement decisions of the High Representative in BiH on the RS entity territory.

The rally announcement sparked reactions and bickering among politicians, with police minister in the Bosniak-Croat Federation (FBiH) entity Ramo Isak saying he won't allow the gathering on the entity line, which sparked reaction of Bosnia's Security Minister Nenad Nesic, a Bosnian Serb politician, who adviced Isak to be careful about his words and to align his statements with his competencies.

The Office of the High Representative, which oversees the civilian part of the peace implementation in BiH following the 1992-95 war stressed that “the freedom of movement between the two entities must be ensured at all times.”

The rally has been announced for Friday at 6 p.m. at several points along the inter-entity boundary line.

A Sarajevo-based activist called for an anti-rally and a peaceful walk towards the inter-entity boundary line in the Sarajevo area, but the Sarajevo Canton Interior Ministry halted the activities.

However, he called on citizens to gather in front of a local mosque and to carry flags and other state insignia.