Very disappointed Dodik, Bosnia barred the entrance from the Russian writer

Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have banned Russian writer Zachhar Prilep from entering the state, causing outrage at Bosnian Serb leaders and the Russian embassy in Sarajevo.

In a statement issued on August 23rd, the embassy has expressed “concern and frustration” after Prilep has returned from the border between Serbia and Bosnia, seeking clarification by the Bosnian Foreign Ministry.

Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has said that Prilep's ban is <x0 wanted and directed against friends of Republika Srpska”, which is inhabited by Serb majority.

Prilep was scheduled to attend a literature event on 24 August in Banja Luka.

He has told Russian news agency Sputnik that when he attempted to enter the border, he was presented with a document saying he was barred from entering Bosnia because “poses a threat to security and international relations” in this state.

Prilep is linked to Russian-backed separatists fighting against government forces east of Ukraine.

The Russian writer has said he thinks the stop may be linked to his involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Fighting in this part of Ukraine has left more than 10,300 people dead since the conflict started in 2014.