RS Police Detain Genocide Researcher for Displaying Bosnia's Flag

Mirsad Tokača, a researcher of genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was detained today in Rogatica. Police took him to the station for having a flag of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on his car. Police said Tokača disturbed public peace by displaying the flag. They stated this caused unease among citizens in Rogatica.

Tokača refused to answer police questions. He also did not accept a 100 KM fine. Instead, he asked for a court decision. He explained to the police that it was the flag of an internationally recognized state. He said its display is not forbidden, unlike a flag of the Army of RBiH. He noted that the police officers who detained him were apologetic.

Tokača believes this incident was a deliberate provocation. He thinks it came from high-level officials in the Republika Srpska. He sees it as an attempt to scare people and silence Bosnian identity. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska has previously confiscated flags with lilies. This refers to the RBiH flag. Courts have often overturned fines given by police for these symbols.

A new law proposal is now in the Republika Srpska National Assembly. This law would ban displaying flags and symbols of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The law is not yet in effect. However, police in Republika Srpska already treat the state flag of RBiH the same way as the Army's flag.