Dodik Probe Will Affect Bosnia Elections, Experts Say

Confirmation that Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska and leader of the ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, SNSD, is being investigated in connection with a failed bank will have an impact on the local elections due in October, experts say.

"Investigations conducted against senior public officials in the past had an impact on the behaviour of voters," Zeljko Raljic, political analyst for the Banja-Luka based website Istinito told BIRN on Tuesday.

On Monday, Bosnian Chief Prosecutor Goran Salihovic confirmed that the state prosecution is investigating the Bosnian Serb leader in connection to the failed Pavlovic Bank.

On February 11, the State Investigation and Protection Agency, SIPA, arrested Slobodan Pavlovic, the owner of the bank, which is at the centre of a controversy concerning a villa that Dodik bought in Belgrade.

"In the Pavlovic Bank case, there is an ongoing investigation also against Milorad Dodik ... we have an obligation to examine and investigate these elements and see whether there are enough [to further the investigation] or not," Salihovic said.

This is not the first time that Dodik has been investigated by the state prosecution.

"In the past, he was under investigation for affairs connected to the building of the RS government house and the construction of the highway from Banja Luka to Gradiska", Raljic noted, adding that "it is Dodik's interest to close this investigation as soon as possible."

Srdjan Puhalo, a political analyst based in Banja Luka, said an investigation against Dodik might have a double impact on October's local elections, depending on its outcome.

"If it proves that Dodik or his associates are responsible for crimes, it will be an important argument for the...