Journalist Urges Legal Action Over Republika Srpska Secession Lobbying

Journalist Ivica Puljic spoke about lobbying efforts by Milorad Dodik. Documents at the United States Department of Justice reveal a contract with the Canadian firm Dickens & Madson. The firm is based in Montreal. It is led by former Israeli intelligence officer Ari Ben-Menashe. The firm was hired to lobby for the secession and independence of Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lobbyist claimed that Saudi Arabia and Israel support this independence. Puljic rejected these claims as completely untrue.

The four-million-dollar contract was signed by Mladen Filipovic, a close associate of Dodik based in Vienna. Puljic stated that lobbying for secession breaks the law. He questioned why the Bosnian Embassy in Washington failed to react earlier. Puljic also commented on the removal of American sanctions against Dodik. He said figures like Paul Manafort and Chris LaCivita played key roles in that decision. He questioned why the State Department claimed the move brought regional stability.

Puljic warned that Ben-Menashe has a long history of espionage, weapons deals, and ties to dictators. Ben-Menashe was previously involved in the Iran-Contra affair and other global scandals. Puljic stated that authorities should file criminal charges against Filipovic, the leadership of Republika Srpska, and Ben-Menashe. He insisted that legal cases should be opened in Bosnia, Canada, and the United States. He urged officials to hire top lawyers and challenge the illegal secession efforts.