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4 clusters · 21 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

Bosnia and Herzegovina RTRS-BHRT financial dispute

Overview

A dispute has emerged in Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding the freezing of Radio Television of Republika Srpska (RTRS) accounts. The District Commercial Court in Banja Luka blocked the accounts due to multi-year debts owed by RTRS to the state broadcaster, BHRT. BHRT has accused RTRS and authorities in Republika Srpska of attempting to influence the judiciary through political pressure. Specifically, BHRT acting general director Belmin Karamehmedović stated that RTRS has used its platform to criticize Judge Gordana Marić after she rejected an objection to the account freeze. BHRT has called on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council to protect judicial independence. In response to claims by Finance Minister Srđan Amidžić that the freeze is a political attempt to dismantle institutions in Republika Srpska, Deputy Minister of Finance and Treasury Muhamed Hasanović clarified that the action is strictly the result of a court decision. Hasanović accused Amidžić of acting as a spokesperson for “political propaganda from Banja Luka” and criticized the pattern of attacking judges when rulings do not align with government interests. Following these tensions, BHRT filed a formal complaint with the Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK) against RTRS. BHRT alleges that RTRS committed gross violations of the Code of Program Content during broadcasts in mid-August 2026, specifically citing breaches of accuracy, fairness, and impartiality. The complaint claims RTRS used public resources to conduct a political battle and attempted to exert undue pressure on the judiciary by naming Judge Marić and suggesting how judges should act in active proceedings. Recently, the bank accounts of RTRS were unblocked following financial assistance from the Government of Republika Srpska, which enabled the broadcaster to pay July salaries. While the freeze was linked to legal costs and debts, including a Sarajevo court ruling requiring BHRT to pay RTRS over 17.7 million KM, structural issues persist.

Entities

BHRT · RTRS · Gordana Marić · Government of Republika Srpska · Srđan Amidžić

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 8 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Republika Srpska government unblocks RTRS bank accounts

    The Government of Republika Srpska has unblocked the bank accounts of RTRS, enabling July salary payments following a legal dispute with BHRT over unpaid RTV taxes and legal costs.

  2. 9 days ago

    [POLITICS] 8 sources
    BHRT files complaint against RTRS for alleged judicial interference

    BHRT has filed a complaint with RAK against RTRS, alleging violations of broadcasting codes and improper pressure on the judiciary, including the targeting of a specific judge in Banja Luka.

  3. 11 days ago

    [POLITICS] 10 sources
    BHRT and Banja Luka court condemn political pressure on judiciary

    BHRT and the District Commercial Court in Banja Luka have condemned political pressure on judges following the freezing of RTRS accounts due to unpaid debts to the national broadcaster.

  4. 11 days ago

    [POLITICS] 11 sources
    Muhamed Hasanović disputes RTRS account freeze claims

    Deputy Finance Minister Muhamed Hasanović refuted claims that the freezing of RTRS accounts is a political move, stating it is a court-ordered action due to debts owed to BHRT.

Sources

072info.com · 24sata.info · 6yka.com · argumenti.rs · face.ba · hms.ba · impulsportal.net · inmedia.ba · mojevijesti.ba · oslobodjenje.ba · radiosarajevo.ba · rtv-hb.com · sarajevo-x.com · sarajevotimes.com · sport1.ba · ssrk.se · tuzlalive.ba · tuzlanski.ba · vecernji.ba · vijesti.ba · zenit.ba

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history