Bosnia's Prosecutor's Office Initiates First Case Under the Law of Denying genocide

This office has said it has initiated cases after accepting complaints from citizens.

The spokesman, Boris Grubsic, has told the Balkan Radio Service Free Europe on July 28th, that complaints were made after Valentin Inzko, the international High Representative, in the past, for Bosnia and Herzegovina, has used his authority to change the Bosnian Criminal Code, which prohibits and condemns the denial of genocide, crimes against humanity and many other crimes.

After publicising the decision by the High Representative on July 23rd, in the coming days, we have begun to accept reports by several citizens, so even cases have been opened”, Grubesic said of Radio Free Europe.

He has not provided details of how many cases have been opened so far.

The decision has entered into force on July 28th, a day after it was published in the Bosnian Officials Journal.

The Prosecutor's Office has earlier said it will observe posts on social networks, for statements that deny or reduce genocide cases, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

It has been said that prosecutors will monitor public statements made by individuals or associations that violate the new law.

The amendments to the Penal Code of this state include prison sentences of up to five years for those who deny genocide or glorify criminals, Inzko said on July 23rd.

Representatives of political parties from Republika Srpska have made the decision that, from Monday, 26 July, will not participate in the work and decision-making of Bosnia and Herzegovina's state institutions, or in the parliament of this state, the ministerial Council and Bosnia and Herzegovina chairmanship.

Representatives of parties from Republika Srpska, entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, have said they reject Inzko's decision.

Mirko Sharovic, chairman of the Serbian Democratic Party, has said it is clearly clear that they will never again accept any decision by the High Representative.

The Serb member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite leadership, Milorad Dodik, has said that Serb political representatives will no longer participate in decision-making until it is considered how this decision will be annulled.

“won't live in a state where someone on his cheek can make decisions”, Dodik said.