Defense Minister Zukan Helez said on Wednesday he blocked the plane from landing in Banja Luka, the main city of Republika Srpska, because Hungary did not clarify Szijjarto’s presence on board and has “openly supported” Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik.
“My duty as defense minister is to protect the constitutional order, the law and the interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Helez said, adding he would not approve the flight without “full transparency and respect” for the state.
Helez said Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Szijjarto have backed Dodik, a pro-Russian nationalist who seeks to separate Republika Srpska from Bosnia and join it with Serbia and has repeatedly challenged the authority of state institutions.
Dodik was removed from the presidency of Republika Srpska in August after being sentenced to a year in prison and a six-year ban on public office for obstructing decisions by the international community’s High Representative, and has been hit with sanctions by several European states.
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Source: PAP