President of Republika Srpska

The mayors of several municipalities in Republika Srpska told BIRN that they intend to follow Milorad Dodik's call and name streets after January 9, the date on which the Day of Republika Srpska is celebrated - a holiday that was declared unconstitutional by the state Constitutional Court.

The state prosecution said it will not investigate Milorad Dodik, president of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated Republika Srpska, over allegations that he incited ethnic and religious hatred by insulting Srebrenica victims.

Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska is pictured on an election poster calling for votes for a referendum on their Statehood Day in Prnjavor, Bosnia and Herzegovina, September 21, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

A flask decorated with the motif of Banja Luka, a handmade jewelry box and a framed photograph featuring members of the student parliament and the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, are headed for Washington.

The president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, hit back on Wednesday after sanctions were imposed on him by the US Treasury, declaring the US ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Maureen Cormack, "a proven enemy" of the Bosnian Serbs who was "unwelcome in Republika Srpska".

An investigation will ask why members of the armed forces participated in a divisive holiday celebration in the Republika Srpska entity, contravening orders from the Ministry of Defence.

Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska is pictured on an election poster calling for votes for a referendum on their Statehood Day in Prnjavor, Bosnia and Herzegovina, September 21, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

While the final results of Sunday's Bosnian local elections are still coming in, the party led by Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska, appears to have emerged the biggest winner.

According to the preliminary results, Dodik's Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, SNSD, won more than 30 mayoral posts in Republika Srpska, 11 more than in the previous elections in 2012.

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.

A Bosnian NGO has filed criminal complaints against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, accusing him of inciting hatred for describing Bosniaks as ‘Turks’.