MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. Russia calls for the immediate cessation of the persecution of the leadership of Republika Srpska (an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the termination of interference by Western powers, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
"As one of the guarantors of the Dayton Agreements, we call for the immediate cessation of the politically motivated persecution of the legitimate leaders of Republika Srpska, the restoration of the situation to the legal framework, the renewal of dialogue between the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the halt of dangerous and destructive interference by Western powers," she said.
Zakharova said that the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and his associates are true defenders of their people.
On February 26, a court of the first instance in Bosnia and Herzegovina sentenced Dodik to one year in prison and prohibited him from political activities for six years for disregarding the decisions of the high representative of the international community in the country, Christian Schmidt. The ruling can be appealed.
On March 12, the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina requested the assistance of security agencies in the detention of Dodik, Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Radovan Viskovic, and Parliament Chairman Nenad Stevandic. Interior Minister Sinisa Karan ruled out their detention. Dodik said he did not intend to leave Republika Srpska despite the detention order. He also announced a meeting "at the highest level" with Russia’s representatives to ask them to raise in the UN Security Council the issue of ending an EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina EUFOR Althea due to breach of its mandate.