Interpol Rejects Bosnia's Red Notice for Dodik, Increasing Regional Tensions

Interpol has rejected Bosnia and Herzegovina's request for a Red Notice against Milorad Dodik, the president of the Serb entity Republika Srpska, and parliament speaker Nenad Stevandic, after Serbia appealed, claiming the request was politically motivated. The Bosnian court had sought the Red Notice following accusations that Dodik and Stevandic undermined the constitutional order by enacting restrictive laws and defying an internal arrest warrant. Dodik, who has received a one-year prison sentence and a political ban for ignoring international rulings, welcomed Interpol's decision as validation of his stance against what he called political persecution. The situation highlights deep political divides in the Balkans, with Dodik receiving support from Serbia and Russia, further complicating relations with Western powers. The rejection of the Red Notice is viewed as a significant development in the ongoing tensions in the region, which have been described as one of the biggest threats to peace since the 1990s conflicts. The political climate remains fraught, with Dodik continuing to seek international backing amid his legal challenges.