DODIK: RUSSIAN MEDIA ARE WELCOME, BUT MUSLIMS ALSO DECIDE ON PERMITS

BANJA LUKA, NOVEMBER 5 /SRNA/ – SNSD President Milorad Dodik has stated that media outlets from Russia, such as Russia Today, are welcome in Republika Srpska and BiH, but noted that work permits are also decided on by Muslims, who maintain a negative narrative about Russia.

"You are welcome here. Find a way to operate and we will support you. As for the permits, even though there are some of our people there, Muslims also have to participate in those decisions," Dodik said at a press conference in Banja Luka, responding to a question from a Russia Today Balkan journalist. He added that the political stance of the Muslims is well known, as is the narrative they spread against Russia. "You know how they fuel hostility toward Russia and what their narrative is. In BiH there is a malignant Muslim influence, it has existed for centuries," Dodik noted. He said that this influence can also be seen through the decisions of the BiH Constitutional Court, which rejected the appeal following the verdict of the BiH Court in the case conducted against him as the President of Republika Srpska. "I would just tell the people that they have shown their true face. They want to destroy and subjugate you. With this decision, the Constitutional Court has torn down the BiH Constitution and our fundamental rights. You must be aware of that. Stop! If you lose that, in a few years there will be nothing left of what you are trying to protect today. That is my message," Dodik stressed.