Serb Legislation Escalates Bosnia's Constitutional Crisis

Bosnia's Serb region enacts legislation excluding state police and judiciary, triggering a constitutional crisis after leader Milorad Dodik's sentencing. The move defies Bosnia's peace accord, prompting Russia's criticism of the ruling. Serbia and Hungary condemn the verdict, deepening regional tensions.

An autonomous Serb region in Bosnia has enacted legislation barring the state police and judiciary from its territory. This legislative move follows the sentencing of separatist leader Milorad Dodik to a year in jail and his six-year ban from politics.

This development has ignited a constitutional crisis in the ethnically diverse and tense post-war Bosnia. After Dodik signed legislation suspending rulings by Bosnia's constitutional court and the international envoy overseeing the 1995 Dayton peace treaty, the court took action. His sentencing and these measures have spurred reaction from Russia, Dodik's main ally, who denounced the sentence as politically charged with potential to destabilize the Balkans.

Dodik framed the legislation as a step towards independence, dismissing the 1990s peace accords. As lawmakers approved the law in Banja Luka, he encouraged support without force. This controversial move received criticism from regional neighbors, including Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

(With inputs from agencies.)