U.S. Department of State

11/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/06/2024 12:00

Maintaining Pressure on Milorad Dodik’s Patronage Network to Curb its Corrupt Influence

HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress ReleasesMaintaining Pressure on Milorad Dodik's Patronage Network to Curb its Corrupt Influence
hide

Maintaining Pressure on Milorad Dodik's Patronage Network to Curb its Corrupt Influence

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

November 6, 2024

The United States is imposing sanctions today on one entity and one individual that form part of Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik's patronage network. The Department of Treasury is designating Elpring d.o.o. Laktasi and Vladimir Perisic, respectively, related to their attempts to evade U.S. sanctions.

The U.S. government previously designated President Dodik for using his official position to accumulate personal wealth through companies connected to himself and his son, Igor Dodik. This corruption has undermined public confidence in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) state institutions and the rule of law. The Dodik network has pursued an aggressive strategy to circumvent U.S sanctions, namely by restructuring and reestablishing corporate entities to obfuscate control and transfer company assets from designated entities.

Today's action further exposes Igor Dodik's blatant attempts to evade U.S. sanctions. The United States will use all tools at our disposal against those who provide major sources of revenue for President Dodik's patronage network and enable his efforts to pursue destabilizing activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Department of the Treasury's actions are being taken pursuant to Executive Order 14033, "Blocking Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons Contributing to the Destabilizing Situation in the Western Balkans." For more information, please see Treasury's press release.