CALLS FOR RELIGIOUS HATRED, EXTREMISM AND VIOLENCE MUST NOT BE IGNORED OR DOWNPLAYED

SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 28 /SRNA/ – Council of Ministers Deputy Chair Staša Košarac told SRNA that the threats directed at the National Assembly of Republika Srpska serve as a serious warning that calls for religious hatred, extremism and violence must neither be ignored nor downplayed.

"I trust the Republika Srpska institutions and am confident that the Ministry of Interior will do everything necessary to protect our citizens and institutions, identify those responsible, and ensure that anyone who makes such monstrous threats of murder and calls for violence faces the legal consequences," Košarac said. He emphasised that calls for jihad, the mutilation of baptised children and the killing of baptised people not only constitute a horrific and monstrous act but also represent a direct threat to citizens’ security, freedom of religion and the constitutional order. Košarac strongly condemned the heinous threats directed at the National Assembly of Republika Srpska today, noting that it was particularly troubling and concerning that such threats had emerged immediately after the terrorist attack in Belgrade. He stated that Srpska would not back down in the face of threats, nor would it allow anyone to jeopardise citizens’ security or the stability of its institutions. "Our response, as always, will be decisive, institutional and in accordance with the law," Košarac concluded. Threatening messages calling for jihad, the mutilation of baptised children and the killing of baptised citizens were received today at the registry office of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.