Raisu-l-ulama of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina Husein effendi Kavazović on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, issued a message to all Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whether they live in the country or abroad.

- Dear brothers and sisters, Muslims, we have fasted this Ramadan and we have tried to be at the height of Ramadan virtue without violating its sanctity. And we spent a nice and comfortable month. The Ramadan ambience is full of visible and invisible atmospheres and blessings. I ask Allah to accept all our Ramadan efforts so that our actions have a positive impact on both the living and the dead.
Tomorrow is Eid, a holiday full of joy. Share that joy with your family, relatives, friends and neighbors. Visit other people, but also the sick, abandoned and lonely, and make them happy by doing something for them. And don't forget the poor. Joy is not complete if it is not shared with someone - said Rais Kavazović.
He congratulated all those who celebrate Eid in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in their home countries and the world on the upcoming days of Eid al-Fitr with the words: "Eid Sherif Mubarek Olsun!".

I ask Allah to accept all our Ramadan efforts so that our actions have a positive impact on both the living and the dead

Reis Kavazović's Eid message: Joy is not complete if we do not share with other people

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as of today, can enter the Republic of Croatia without the provision of Covid certificates, confirmed to FENA on Sunday the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia.
 
 
It is stated in the notice that the Decision on the temporary restrictions on crossing the border of the Republic of Croatia, which was valid until April 30, 2022, has not been extended.
Therefore, entry into the Republic of Croatia is allowed pertaining to the conditions of entry that were valid before the Covid-19 pandemic, i.e. under the conditions prescribed by the Schengen rules, the Aliens Act and the like, and without the need to meet any epidemiological conditions, the Croatian Interior Ministry said.

It is stated in the notice that the Decision on the temporary restrictions on crossing the border of the Republic of Croatia, which was valid until April 30, 2022, has not been extended

BiH nationals can enter the Republic of Croatia without Covid certificates

As of today, BiH nationals can enter the Republic of Croatia without Covid certificates

A legendary BiH football player and coach, Sarajevo-born, Ivica Osim has died in Graz, Austria, at the age of 81.

 

An iconic football expert, nicknamed Švabo, was born on May 6, Sarajevo in 1941. He was building up his youth football career in the Željeznicar Football Club from 1954 to 1959.
After leaving the juniors, he started playing for the A team in the 1959/1960 season. He played for the club for a total of 11 years, during which time he collected 250 official appearances and scored 75 goals. In 1970 he went to France where he played for Strasbourg, Sedan and Valenciennes.

Also known as Strauss, which was Osim's other nickname that he got for his blonde hair, also played for the national team of the former Yugoslavia. He collected 16 appearances, scoring 8 goals. He was one of the main players in winning second place at the 1968 European Championships.

During that time he was an unusually tall player but of a characteristically long stride. He drew attention with his incredible technique and the ease with which he overcame opposing players. It seemed as if the players were falling around him, and if he didn't assist his teammates, he would score goals on his own. Radio and newspaper reporters often reported with astonishment that he was making it all happen despite his slow movements. He was also named the best player in Yugoslavia in 1967.
He ended his playing career in 1978, after which he became a very successful coach. He successfully led FC Željeznicar from 1978 to 1986. He was also the head coach of the Yugoslav national team, the coach of Partizan, Panathinaikos, Sturm, JEF United, and his last coaching engagement was as the head coach of Japan.

<h2>The match was watched by 25,000 fans</h2>

Osim will also be remembered for being the coach of FC Željeznicar in the iconic semifinals of the UEFA Cup against Videoton at the Grbavica stadium. After the 3-1 defeat in Hungary, the team had 2-0 result until the 87th minute, and then they conceded a goal and dreams of the finals with Real Madrid fell apart. The match was watched by 25,000 fans.

In 2011, FIFA appointed Osim to head the Committee for Normalization of the Football Association of BiH, and he helped the umbrella house of our football to get on the right path and lead us to a system that is, to this day, enjoyed by football associations and organizations in BiH.

He drew attention with his incredible technique and the ease with which he overcame opposing players

A legend of BiH football Ivica Osim dies at the age of 81

France's prosecutors on Monday launched an intentional homicide investigation in the case involving the shooting of two people early morning in the center of Paris, at the end of the victory rally for the re-election of President Emmanuel Macron, according to reports by local media.

The police opened fire on a vehicle killing two passengers after they refused to comply with their orders. The Inspectorate General of the National Police reached the spot on the Pont-Neuf bridge in central Paris and questioned the five police officials involved in the shooting, FranceInfo news reported.

The prosecution has registered a case of "attempted homicide on persons holding public authority" and seized the weapon from which a dozen cartridges were fired, killing the two suspects. The prosecution has also opened a probe against the police officer for causing "intentional violence" resulting in death.
The police have not linked the incident with the Macron’s rally and have not announced any suspected terror angle.

The incident is said to have occurred around 11.45 PM local time (21:45 GMT) as supporters and spectators were leaving Macron's rally at the Champs de Mars public space. The Pont Neuf bridge is between Louvre Museum and Notre Dame cathedral and is a few km away from Champs de Mars. The area had high security in view of the election day results.

A police patrol came across a gray Volkswagen Polo that was parked with headlights in the opposite direction of the road on the bridge. As the police were approaching the car, the driver tried to move in their direction, triggering the only armed police officers to start firing to stop the car, the report said.
The prosecution has identified two deceased – a 25-year-old driver and a 31-year-old front passenger – and a 42-year-old backseat passenger who was injured during the shooting.

Police in Paris shot dead 2 people after they failed to comply orders

The police have not linked the incident with the Macron’s rally

French prosecutors to investigate police shooting after Macron’s victory rally

NATO top diplomats will hold an informal meeting in Berlin on May 14-15, the alliance announced on Monday.

- An informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers will be held in Berlin, Germany on 14-15 May, chaired by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg - NATO's spokesperson, Oana Lungescu, said on Twitter.
Following discussions in previous months, the ministers are expected to address the situation in Ukraine, as well as the military bloc's reaction to the changing security environment.
Since the beginning of Russia's war in Ukraine, NATO has activated defense plans and deployed elements of the NATO Response Force.
Military commanders were also tasked with drafting plans to bolster NATO's long-term defense and deterrence posture in the eastern part of the alliance.
The plans would deploy more equipment and supplies on the ground, aircraft, and strengthened air and missile defense systems, as well as carrier ships, submarines, and a significant number of combat ships on a permanent basis.
NATO leaders are expected to give the final green light at their summit to be held in Madrid in June.

Top diplomats expected to discuss NATO's response to Russia-Ukraine war at informal meeting

Since the beginning of Russia's war in Ukraine, NATO has activated defense plans and deployed elements of the NATO Response Force

NATO foreign ministers to meet in Berlin

Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN Sven Alkalaj announced that the UN Security Council, after Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which began almost 60 days ago, faces a big problem - how to condemn the aggression of a UN member against another UN member. 

In an article for the Institute for Geopolitics, Economics and Security (IGES), Alkalaj said that the situation is even more complex because the aggressor country is also a permanent member of the UN Security Council with a veto right and as a result of such circumstances it was not possible to reach an agreement in the UN Security Council to condemn the aggression - precisely because the veto was used.

- In order for all UN member states to be aware of this situation, the issue of aggression against Ukraine had to be put on the agenda of the UN General Assembly. An identical procedure was made when the member states were asked to suspend the Russian Federation from the UN Human Rights Council. Therefore, an extraordinary session of the General Assembly had to be scheduled in order to discuss Russia's aggression against Ukraine in front of all members, and not only in front of 15 members of the UN Security Council. With such an approach, conditions have been created for all countries to express their position on aggression - Alkalaj explained.

- So, in order for a session of the General Assembly to be held, it is necessary to put these things on the agenda so that the entire membership can discuss them. The UN Charter makes this possible through these two articles. In the case of the current situation, when one country, a permanent member of the SC, opposes the decision of the SC, ie. vetoes it, the debate is transferred to the General Assembly, but an extraordinary session of the General Assembly must be requested.
In order to avoid the procedure of requesting an extraordinary session of the General Assembly, the idea came to pass a resolution called "Veto Initiative", which has a purely political meaning. The resolution would state that every time a country vetoes a certain decision, it would automatically go to the session of the General Assembly to discuss the submitted veto in the SC," Alkalaj pointed out.

<h2>60 countries have co-sponsored the resolution</h2>

According to him, that would happen automatically and would not depend on who is the president of the General Assembly, who otherwise has the opportunity to decide whether he wants to and when to put an item on the agenda. Thus, after the automatic session of the General Assembly and the declaration, certain conclusions would be drawn.

He added that many other elements are in favor of the initiative, one of which is strengthening multilateralism.
On the other hand, Alkalaj reminds that there are numerous examples when the Security Council was not able to take effective action due to large political differences among the permanent members. Another important reason is that the majority membership of the UN believes that the UN must be reformed because there is a need for a different way of conducting activities.
- This "Veto INitiative" is not against anyone but calls for greater responsibility for the care of humanity. It is clearly stated in the UN Charter that the Security Council works on behalf of all UN members, and when certain members use the veto, other member states have the right to know why. The support for the adoption of such a resolution is growing every day. So far, about 60 countries have co-sponsored the resolution, while a number of countries have decided to support it, but not to co-sponsor it. Some permanent members, such as the United States, Great Britain and France, will give their support - Alkalaj said.
The date for the discussion and decision-making on this resolution is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

In order for all UN member states to be aware of this situation, the issue of aggression against Ukraine had to be put on the agenda of the UN General Assembly, he emphasized

Alkalaj: Because of Ukraine, the veto right in the UN Security Council is faced with scrutiny

Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried will travel to the Western Balkans from April 25 to 29, with stops in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.&nbsp;

On April 25, she will thank Kosovo for providing refuge to Afghans and Ukrainians, encourage work on reforms for democratic consolidation and integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, and review prospects for progress in the U.S.-supported, EU-facilitated Dialogue with Serbia toward an agreement on normalized relations centered on mutual recognition.

She will travel to Serbia on April 26 to urge Serbia to advance reforms for its European integration, enhance regional stability and prosperity, discuss opportunities for further energy diversification, and broaden our bilateral security and economic ties. She will reiterate the need for Serbia and Kosovo to reengage in the EU-facilitated Dialogue.
On April 27, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Donfried will encourage officials to resume institutional participation at all levels of government to advance functionality and common-sense reforms for greater prosperity and for BiH to obtain EU candidate status. She will urge BiH to hold fall elections on time and make progress in fighting endemic corruption.
In North Macedonia on April 28, she will meet with government leaders to signal our strong support for North Macedonia’s EU accession negotiations and thank them for their ongoing assistance to Ukraine. She will urge NATO’s newest member to continue close cooperation on a range of regional, security, and defense issues to promote democracy and regional stability.

<h2> 100 years of U.S.-Albanian diplomatic relations</h2>

On April 28 she will commemorate 100 years of U.S.-Albanian diplomatic relations and thank Albania for our partnership on the United Nations Security Council and for its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression. She will also underscore our strong support for Albania’s EU accession and regional economic integration, as well as emphasize the need to fully implement justice reform and combat corruption.

Donfried will travel to Montenegro on April 29, where she will highlight U.S. support for and the need to accelerate work on Montenegro’s Euro-Atlantic path and EU accession, strengthening NATO membership, and on supporting shared values, including tackling corruption.
She will also thank Montenegro for joining EU sanctions on Russia in support of Ukraine, and for providing humanitarian and security assistance, as well as for closing its airspace to Russian aircraft.

She will urge BiH to hold fall elections on time and make progress in fighting endemic corruption

US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried visits the Western Balkans

On the occasion of the Easter, the President of SBB, Fahrudin Radončić, congratulated the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Monsignor Tomo Vukšić, and all Catholics in BiH and beyond.
- Easter is a holiday that symbolizes hope and faith in the future, generally a holiday that celebrates life. This great Catholic holiday is an opportunity to show solidarity again and nurture mutual understanding and respect.
I want you to welcome and spend your holiday in health and happiness, among your loved ones, family and friends.
These days are also an opportunity to share your holiday joy with your neighbors, which is in the spirit of our good neighborly relations and the tradition of Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Radončić.

This great Catholic holiday is an opportunity to show solidarity again and nurture mutual understanding and respect, said Radončić

Radončić: Share your holiday joy with your neighbors

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated Easter

Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sifet Podžić is today at the barracks of the Armed Forces of BiH "Rajlovac", where the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Army of RBiH and the parade of the 2nd Infantry (Ranger) Regiment took place told reporters that "we will defend our country if necessary". 

- It is a legal obligation of the Armed Forces of BiH, that is why we exist, it is one of our missions and, if necessary, we will certainly defend the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Minister Podžić.
- We have been living on interim financing for three years now, when some are deliberately obstructing the equipping of the BiH Armed Forces, I must tell them - this country will not be torn apart - said Podžić.
Answering a journalist's question, he said that the security situation in BiH is not good, not because of the war in Ukraine, the security situation in BiH is not good because of the non-functioning of state authorities, because of the non-functioning of the BiH Presidency, the BiH Council of Ministers and the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.
According to him, unfortunately, the Ministry of Defense and members of the Armed Forces of BiH feel that the most.
- There are those who deliberately want to demolish those institutions and bring them to the level that they cannot fulfill their obligations. We are fighting against that, we will fight and it cannot be worse than in 1992 - Minister Podžić pointed out.

Answering a journalist's question, he said that the security situation in BiH is not good

Podžić: If necessary, we will defend the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt congratulated Easter to all the Catholic faithful in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

- Dear believers, may the risen Christ give you the strength and inspiration to persevere and find the way to a better future in these times full of trials. I congratulate you and your families on the occasion of Easter with the desire to spend it in good health and an abundance of God's blessing. Happy Easter - said Schmidt, the OHR said.

I congratulate you and your families on the occasion of Easter with the desire to spend it in good health and an abundance of God's blessing

High Representative Schmidt congratulates Easter

The United States Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael J. Murphy visited the Potočari-Srebrenica Memorial Center today and laid flowers at the memorial, thus paying tribute to the innocent victims of genocide.

After paying tribute to the victims of genocide, he spoke with representatives of the Association of Mothers of Srebrenica. He then met with Srebrenica Mayor Mladen Grujičić and his deputy, Hamdija Fejzić.

The US Ambassador told the media that he was primarily in Srebrenica today to pay tribute to the civilian victims of the Srebrenica genocide.

- It is very important to be clear about that and to underline the fact that genocide took place in Srebrenica. In July 1995, groups of the Republika Srpska army, under the command of Ratko Mladić and the political patronage of Radovan Karadžić, committed genocide against Bosniaks boys and men, killing more than 8,000 people.
Mladić and Karadžić are not war heroes, they are war criminals.
No amount of denial or any kind of murals can change that fact, their guilt and evil are eternal. I would like to emphasize that the genocide in Srebrenica and all other war crimes that took place between 1992 and 1995 are the responsibility of individuals.
It is their responsibility and theirs alone, it is not the fault of any ethnic group as a whole. Today, all of us in Bosnia and Herzegovina have one responsibility, and that is to acknowledge the facts and respect the victims.

We need to educate young people, teach them these facts and teach them to respect victims and continue our efforts to find and identify all victims from all ethnicities.

In this way, we would finally provide comfort to all families, and to investigate and prosecute and convict all individuals responsible for the crimes committed - said Murphy.
He believes that only through reconciliation Bosnia and Herzegovina can move forward for the sake of a better future for all its citizens.
- The wounds of this country need to be healed. And to build Bosnia and Herzegovina as a prosperous and democratic country, a country for the grandchildren and children of those who lost their children in the war. There is absolutely no doubt that a political crisis is happening in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Those responsible for the political crisis are politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is their responsibility to resolve the crisis - Murphy said.

Those responsible for the political crisis are politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is their responsibility to resolve the crisis

Ambasador Murphy: Mladić and Karadžić are not war heroes, they are war criminals

The State Department released a report on human rights in the world for last year, which included Bosnia and Herzegovina. The report was presented yesterday by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
BiH has achieved extremely poorly when it comes to respect for human rights, and the report also mentions the Law on Defamation in BiH.
A special part of the report is about great pressures on the media, journalists, and the report states that 212,000 KM were seized from "Avaz-roto press".
- While the country has decriminalized defamation, many complaints continued to be brought before courts against journalists, often resulting in extremely high fines. Noteworthy court decisions against journalists included temporary bans on the posting or publication of certain information as well as extremely high and disproportionate compensatory payments.&nbsp;In June and July, the Municipal Court of Sarajevo issued two verdicts ordering payment of unusually high fines and penalties in defamation cases against two media outlets. Following a court order, more than 212,000 convertible marks (KM) ($127,000) were seized from the bank account of the publishing house Avaz-roto Press, based on a 2009 defamation case and a related 2016-2019 case about publishing the court ruling.&nbsp;

Avaz-roto Press was found guilty and had previously already paid KM 5,000 ($3,000) in damages and covered additional accompanying court costs. In July the online media outlet Zurnal was ordered to pay more than KM 170,000 ($102,000) based on a first-instance court ruling in a defamation case. The BH Journalists association expressed concern that such excessive fines and penalties could seriously jeopardize the work and business of media outlets, noting the need to find a balance between the economic power of the media, the public interest, and the right to compensation. The Steering Board of the BiH Press and Online Media Council expressed concern, noting that such high fines and penalties are at odds with projecting journalistic integrity and endanger the work of the media - it is stated in the report of State department.
Let us remind you, Judge Mirsada Karahmetović, after the already paid verdict from 2016 for defamation to the Prosecutor of the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office in Tuzla Jasminka Djedović (in the amount of 5,001 KM), made a decision on June 22nd last year, and on June 25th from the account "Avaz-roto press" removed an incredible 207,900 KM of non-existent court penalties, increased by 4,256 KM of enforcement costs, which totals more than 212,000 KM.

"Avaz-roto Press" was found guilty and had previously paid 5,000 KM ($ 3,000) in damages and covered additional accompanying court costs, according to a State Department report

The report was presented by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

State Department report: Why 212 thousand KM were seized from "Avaz-roto press"

The National Assembly of the entity of Republika Srpska (RSNA) yesterday, at a special session, which ended later in the afternoon, voted on five decisions of the Presidency of BiH in which a member of the BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik did not receive sufficient support for his vetoes. 

The RSNA rejected the proclamation of the protection of the vital national interest against five decisions of the Presidency of BiH, which means that there will be no veto on these decisions.

Dodik demanded that these decisions be declared harmful to Serb national interests, believing that the Presidency of BiH made them without consensus.

The National Assembly of the RS did not confirm by a two-thirds majority the statement of the member of the Presidency of BiH from the RS on declaring the Decisions of the Presidency of BiH, adopted at the 25th regular session of the Presidency of BiH held on March 31, 2022, very harmful to vital interests.
The National Assembly did not confirm by a two-thirds majority the decision to confirm the Statement of the BiH Presidency Member from the RS on the promulgation of the Decision approving the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding between the BiH Central Election Commission and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in BiH (OSCE) at a regular session of the Presidency of BiH held on March 31, 2022, very detrimental to the vital interests of the RS.
Also, the RSNA rejected a decision to confirm the Statement of the BiH Presidency Member from the RS on the proclamation of the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding regarding cooperation in the field of elections between the CEC BiH and the State Election Office of Hungary, which was adopted without consensus at the 25th regular session of the BiH Presidency, held on March 31, 2022, to be very detrimental to the vital interests of the RS.

The RSNA rejected a decision to confirm the Statement of the BiH Presidency Member from the RS on the promulgation of the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Agreement on BiH's participation in the international computer and information literacy survey ICILS 2023, which was adopted without consensus at the 25th regular session of the BiH Presidency on March 31, 2022, to be detrimental to the vital interests of the RS.
In addition, another decision to confirm the Statement of the BiH Presidency member from RS on the proclamation of the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Agreement on BiH's participation in the international study on learning and teaching TALIS 2024, which was adopted without consensus at the 25th regular session of the BiH Presidency held on March 31, 2022, was also rejected as Dodik has claimed it was detrimental to the vital interests of the RS.
The fifth decision was also rejected by the RSNA referring to the confirmation of the Statement of the BiH Presidency member from the RS on the proclamation of the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Agreement on BiH's participation in international research on mathematics and natural sciences TIMSS 2023, which was adopted without consensus at the 25th regular session Presidency of BiH, held on March 31, 2022.

The RSNA rejected the proclamation of the protection of the vital national interest against five decisions of the Presidency of BiH, which means that there will be no veto on these decisions

No majority for Dodik's veto in RSNA, the decisions of BiH Presidency remain in force

The target of the United States' sanctions are actors whose actions have been destabilizing throughout Western Balkans, it was announced yesterday by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) which has imposed sanctions against an MP in the BiH Parliament Asim Sarajlić and Gordana Tadić, former Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated seven individuals and one entity across four countries in the Western Balkans pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14033. This is the second action OFAC has taken under E.O. 14033, targeting persons who threaten the stability of the region through corruption, criminal activity, and other destabilizing behavior. Yesterday’s action reinforces Treasury’s commitment to promoting accountability for actors in the Western Balkans region engaged in destabilizing and corrupt behavior. Such corrupt behavior undermines the rule of law and economic growth, and it deprives people in these countries of opportunities and stability.

- The people designated yesterday constitute a serious threat to regional stability, institutional trust, and the aspirations of those seeking democratic and judicious governance in the Western Balkans - said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.&nbsp;- Combatting corruption around the world is a major priority of the Biden-Harris administration, and Treasury will not hesitate to use all tools at our disposal to hold corrupt and destabilizing actors accountable.As part of this action, the Department of State is designating individuals from North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022, instituting what is commonly known as a visa ban. The Department of State is also designating their immediate family members under 7031(c). This action renders them and their immediate family members ineligible for entry into the United States.

Following the Treasury’s January 5, 2022 designations of Milorad Dodik and one business entity under his control, OFAC yesterday designated two more corrupt actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Asim Sarajlić is a member of the parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and was until recently a high-ranking Party of Democratic Action (SDA) official in BiH. Sarajlić is the infamous subject of the "Asim affair", a political corruption scandal in which Sarajlić was caught promising to secure a job for the wife of a party delegate in exchange for a requested vote on a political party position. Sarajlić has been indicted for additional offenses, including abuse of office and influence peddling.
Sarajlić has also abused his position in relation to BH Telecom, a large BiH state-owned enterprise. In this capacity, Sarajlić personally accepted payment from job applicants in exchange for positions, and otherwise exerted an inordinate influence over the hiring process. As part of this activity, Sarajlić recommended candidates who were reportedly severely underqualified, undermining the integrity of the company.
Sarajlić was designated pursuant to E.O. 14033 for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged in, corruption related to the Western Balkans, including corruption, by, on behalf of, or otherwise related to a government in the Western Balkans, or a current or former government official at any level of government in the Western Balkans, such as the misappropriation of public assets, expropriation of private assets for personal gain or political purposes, or bribery.

Gordana Tadić served as Chief Prosecutor of the State Prosecutor’s Office of BiH from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, she was officially removed from her position by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council following her failure to assign cases to prosecutors through an automated case distribution system designed to prevent prosecutor assignment decisions based on personal or political reasons. In addition, Tadić reportedly used her position as Chief Prosecutor to promote her own personal and familial interests. Furthermore, she allegedly collected state housing fees through a fictitious contract.

Tadić was designated pursuant to E.O. 14033 for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the Western Balkans, stated the US State Department in a press release.&nbsp;

Yesterday’s action reinforces Treasury’s commitment to promoting accountability for actors in the Western Balkans region engaged in destabilizing and corrupt behavior

US sanctions former BiH Chief Prosecutor and an MP in the state parliament Tadić and Sarajlić

The United Kingdom sanctioning Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović for their undermining of the legitimacy and functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina is reasonable considering the failure of these two politicians to meet the requirements of responsible politics, and a result of Mr. Dodik’s and Ms. Cvijanović’s repeated violations of State Constitution and the rule of law, stated today the High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt.

 

The High Representative has thanked the United Kingdom for its commitment to the stability and security of BiH.
- These are sanctions aimed at Mr. Dodik and Ms. Cvijanović and not at the RS and its people. Dodik and Cvijanović missed every opportunity to get back into constructive dialogue for the benefit of the people in this country, including the ones in the entity of Republic of Srpska.

Instead, they have chosen to undermine the DPA and the Constitution. They will have to bear the consequences of their words and deeds, and the UK sanctions are the continuation of the consequences that started in January with the US sanctions - said Schmidt.

- The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not negotiable, the attempts to undermine State Institutions are not acceptable. I call on all politicians to be aware that they are elected to serve the State and the people of BiH - concluded the High Representative.

Dodik and Cvijanović missed every opportunity to get back into constructive dialogue for the benefit of the people in this country, including the ones in the entity of Republic of Srpska

Schmidt: Dodik and Cvijanović will have to bear the consequences of their words and deeds

A member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik commented yesterday at a special session of the National Assembly of the entity of Republic of Srpska on the sanctions imposed against him by the Government of the United Kingdom and said he did not care about it. 

- Those sanctions will bring down to a minimum every kind of procedure or conversation with the British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Field, and that is excellent - said Dodik.
British sanctions mean that Dodik will not be able to travel to the United Kingdom or use or access any property they he might own in the United Kingdom.
- I do not have any property in the United Kingdom and I have not been in that country for more than ten years - Dodik added.
He also said that the "British never had good intentions towards the Serbs."

To remind you, the Government of the United Kingdom sanctioned Milorad Dodik and Željka Cvijanović for their violation of the legitimacy and functionality of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The UK Foreign Minister Elizabeth Truss said the two politicians were deliberately undermining the hard-achieved peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Encouraged by Putin, their reckless behavior is a threat to stability and security throughout the Western Balkans. With these harsh sanctions, we are showing that the enemies of peace will be called to account - said Foreign Minister Lizz Truss.
She pointed out that these were not sanctions against the entity of Republika Srpska or its citizens, but that they were "sanctions aimed at two people who have behaved irresponsibly in their positions."

Reis Kavazović's Eid message: Joy is not complete if we do not share with other people

As of today, BiH nationals can enter the Republic of Croatia without Covid certificates

A legend of BiH football Ivica Osim dies at the age of 81

French prosecutors to investigate police shooting after Macron’s victory rally

NATO foreign ministers to meet in Berlin

Alkalaj: Because of Ukraine, the veto right in the UN Security Council is faced with scrutiny

US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried visits the Western Balkans

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated Easter

Podžić: If necessary, we will defend the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina

High Representative Schmidt congratulates Easter

Ambasador Murphy: Mladić and Karadžić are not war heroes, they are war criminals

State Department report: Why 212 thousand KM were seized from "Avaz-roto press"

No majority for Dodik's veto in RSNA, the decisions of BiH Presidency remain in force

US sanctions former BiH Chief Prosecutor and an MP in the state parliament Tadić and Sarajlić

Schmidt: Dodik and Cvijanović will have to bear the consequences of their words and deeds

Dodik: I will bring down to a minimum any kind of conversation with Ambassador Field

News

Reis Kavazović's Eid message: Joy is not complete if we do not share with other people

As of today, BiH nationals can enter the Republic of Croatia without Covid certificates

A legend of BiH football Ivica Osim dies at the age of 81

French prosecutors to investigate police shooting after Macron’s victory rally

NATO foreign ministers to meet in Berlin

Alkalaj: Because of Ukraine, the veto right in the UN Security Council is faced with scrutiny

US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried visits the Western Balkans

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić congratulated Easter

Podžić: If necessary, we will defend the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina

High Representative Schmidt congratulates Easter

Ambasador Murphy: Mladić and Karadžić are not war heroes, they are war criminals

State Department report: Why 212 thousand KM were seized from "Avaz-roto press"

No majority for Dodik's veto in RSNA, the decisions of BiH Presidency remain in force

US sanctions former BiH Chief Prosecutor and an MP in the state parliament Tadić and Sarajlić

Schmidt: Dodik and Cvijanović will have to bear the consequences of their words and deeds

Dodik: I will bring down to a minimum any kind of conversation with Ambassador Field