Attempt to Arrest Bosnian Serb Leader Dodik Fails After Standoff

• Apr 24, 2025

An attempt to arrest Milorad Dodik, the president of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska, failed on April 23 after local police blocked state officers from carrying out the operation. The standoff marks a new chapter in the country’s ongoing political tensions.

Bosnia’s state court had issued arrest warrants for Dodik, along with Republika Srpska Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic and parliamentary speaker Nenad Stevandic. The three are accused of violating the country’s constitution. Dodik was recently sentenced to one year in prison and barred from holding any public office for six years.

The State Investigation and Police Agency (SIPA) officers arrived at the Republika Srpska government’s administrative center in East Sarajevo while Dodik was inside for a meeting. They intended to serve the warrant and arrest him. However, they were met with resistance from the Republika Srpska Ministry of Interior, leading to a confrontation.

According to SIPA spokesperson Jelena Miovcic, the officers were acting on an order from the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning Dodik’s failure to comply with a decision from the Constitutional Court. Despite their efforts, they had to retreat after being blocked by entity-level police.

“I can confirm that SIPA officers were at the Administrative Center of the Government of Republika Srpska in East Sarajevo, in connection with the execution of an order from the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Miovcic told N1. “We attempted to execute the order, but SIPA officers were prevented by the RS Ministry of Interior.”

Following the failed arrest, Dodik took to social media to criticize SIPA. He claimed the agency broke the law by entering Republika Srpska to arrest him.

“This is Republika Srpska, and SIPA broke the law,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter. “I feel good and safe. I have no intention of leaving this facility under pressure.”

Dodik also accused the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, of trying to stir up tensions. “The Republika Srpska police will not back down from any challenge when it comes to defending institutions and the Constitution,” he wrote. “Sarajevo is trying to deepen the crisis with lies and lead to a greater escalation of the situation, which it will not succeed in doing.”