RTRS bank accounts frozen over BHRT debt

The bank accounts of Radio-televizija Republike Srpske (RTRS) have been frozen since July 7 following a decision by the District Commercial Court in Banja Luka. The freeze is based on a final judgment requiring RTRS to pay approximately 5.4 to 5.5 million KM to the state broadcaster, Radio-televizija Bosne i Hercegovine (BHRT).

The freeze has created significant uncertainty regarding the August 20 salary payments for RTRS's 603 employees. This legal dispute is part of a long-standing conflict over the distribution of the RTV fee, with RTRS's total debt to BHRT estimated at approximately 105 million KM stemming from unallocated fees collected over the last nine years.

Political figures have weighed in on the matter. Siniša Karan, President of Republika Srpska, stated he would use his constitutional powers to protect the public service, while Minister of Justice Goran Selak warned that the enforcement of court decisions should not jeopardize the basic functioning of the institution or employee salaries.