SDP BiH officials file criminal reports against senior figures over Ratko Mladic public statements

"The death of the legally convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic does not mean the death of truth, responsibility, or judgments," stated state MP Sasa Magazinovic, emphasising the enduring importance of preserving the memory of victims.

He highlighted the alarming public response observed over recent days. "The terrifying realization that we have had the opportunity to witness these past two days is that the ideology for which he was convicted is alive both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region," he said.

Addressing the wave of public commentary, Magazinovic pointed out that statements glorifying, minimising, or denying war crimes have flooded the public sphere. "Anti-civilisational glorification of evil is what we have witnessed over the last two days, and it is clear to everyone that the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina contains tools sufficient to prosecute such phenomena in BiH," he noted.

The MP also urged international observers to closely monitor how domestic institutions handle the cases.

"We call on the international community to monitor this procedure and the attitude of those responsible towards one of the hardest criminal offences that can be committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, bearing in mind the social situation and the emotions it causes in people," Magazinovic urged.

Expressing deep concern over rhetoric emanating from public office holders, Magazinovic added, "It is clear that there is fear when people from positions of power and public office deny the hardest war crime, and it’s normal that there is fear that such things can be repeated in Bosnia and Herzegovina when they see the number of those who approve of it, in this case denying what is a shame."

Damir Masic confirmed that four initial criminal reports have been lodged against prominent figures who were among the first to publicly comment on Mladic's death in a manner alleged to breach federal law. The reports specifically target Milorad Dodik, Stasa Kosarac, Nenad Stevandic, and Drasko Stanivukovic.

"This is only the beginning. Our legal team is gathering evidence and analysing it, and in the coming days, criminal reports will be filed against every individual who has brutally violated the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina," Masic stated. He further called upon Chief Prosecutor Milanko Kajganic and the Prosecutor's Office to actively enforce the legislation. "The sensitivity of the situation in Bosnia, fresh wounds, and everything that evokes the nineties deserve special attention," Masic added.

Nerin Dizdar underscored that the prosecution is legally bound to act upon public offences. "These were committed publicly, we have attached evidentiary material, and we expect this to be an initiator for action towards all others," Dizdar concluded.