Serbia has formally objected to Bosnia and Herzegovina's request for an Interpol Red Notice against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and RS Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandic, asserting both men hold Serbian citizenship and claiming the request violates Interpol's political neutrality rules.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic confirmed Belgrade has filed a protest with Interpol's General Secretariat, arguing the arrest warrants – issued over alleged constitutional violations in Bosnia – breach Article 3 of Interpol's statute prohibiting politically motivated cases. “The requests haven't passed Interpol's compliance checks”, Dacic stated, emphasizing Serbia's duty to protect its citizens internationally.

The diplomatic standoff comes as legal experts highlight a binding 2013 extradition treaty between Serbia and Bosnia requiring mutual surrender of suspects facing minimum five-year sentences – precisely the penalty Dodik risks for allegedly undermining Bosnia's constitutional order. The agreement explicitly overrides dual citizenship considerations.

Dodik, currently in Israel after transiting through Serbia, crossed Bosnia's border Monday for the first time since the arrest warrant was issued. Border police have launched an investigation into reports his convoy bypassed standard checks at the Raca crossing. Stevandic similarly left Bosnia during March's student protests, with his return method remaining unclear.

Bosnian authorities sought the politicians’ arrest after they failed to appear for questioning regarding RS laws challenging state institutions. While RS Premier Radovan Viskovic faces identical charges, he remains in Bosnia, avoiding international warrant requests.

Interpol's General Secretariat has acknowledged Serbia's protest but hasn't ruled on the case. The organization typically avoids politically sensitive warrants, though Bosnia maintains its request concerns criminal, not political, violations.

The incident exposes growing regional tensions as Serbia tests its extradition commitments while defending a key political ally. With Dodik continuing international travel and Serbia vowing to block his arrest, the case may become a litmus test for Balkan judicial cooperation.