Bosnian Serb leader calls trial "political", proceedings adjourned again

SARAJEVO (Reuters) – Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik appeared in court on Wednesday, where he is facing charges of defying the rulings of an international peace envoy. He referred to the trial as a “political process” and criticized the prosecutors. During an unexpected move towards the end of the hearings, Dodik stated that his actions have been in line with the Serb Republic’s constitution and the Dayton peace accords, which are part of Bosnia’s constitution.

Dodik claimed that the court should not allow the trial to become a political process. He also lashed out at the prosecutors, describing them as “good-for-nothing lawyers.” This was the first time he addressed the court directly.

Accused alongside another Serb official, Dodik was indicted in August by state prosecutors after signing laws that suspended rulings by the constitutional court and the peace envoy, despite the envoy revoking the legislation.

The trial has been delayed three times in the past two months due to procedural issues raised by Dodik’s legal team. On Wednesday, his lawyers requested an adjournment because the co-defendant, Milan Lukic, did not appear in court due to health reasons. However, Judge Mirsad Strika refused the request and decided to separate the two defendants’ cases, suspecting it was just another reason for a delay.

Following this, Dodik’s lawyer, Goran Bubic, requested the removal of Judge Strika and seven other judges from the case over alleged bias towards Dodik. He also requested that the trial be moved to a court in the Serb Republic´s main city of Banja Luka. The court’s appeal chamber has yet to rule on these requests before the trial can continue. The proceedings were adjourned until Jan. 30.

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by)