Bosnia: Police Arrest Suspect in Arms Cache Case

A Banja Luka resident was arrested after being questioned by Republika Srpska police, who discovered a number of weapons in the sports hall where the event was held on Monday.

The weapons were found as police carried out a security operation in preparation for the celebration, which gathered top local and Serbian leaders, including Serbia's president and prime minister, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Bosnian Serb republic.

Police found an automatic rifle, a semi-automatic rifle, several hand bombs, some 400 pieces of ammunition of various calibers and three kilograms of plastic explosives in the Borik sports hall, where the festivities were held, and have extended their search to other sites in the de facto capital of Republika Srpska, RS.

While local media have published the name of a Banja Luka resident they say is the suspect, the police have refused to release any names.

“At this moment we cannot say who the person is since police and prosecutors are still checking all available information,” Mirna Soja, RS Interior Ministry spokesperson, told Balkan Insight.

The Interior Ministry said that police are working on uncovering motives and the possible involvement of other persons.

Serbia's Interior Ministry has also offered its support in the case, sending several policemen to Banja Luka to aid in the investigation.

RS police are also cooperating with the Bosnian State Prosecutor's office, spokesman Boris Grubesic told Balkan Insight.

“The RS Interior Ministry and the Prosecutor's Office Special Department for Organised Crime are carrying out coordinated activities and investigations related to the case,” Grubesic said, and added that the weapons cache may still be declared a terrorist act.

Police in Republika Srpska said that the weapons could have threatened the security of the guests at the celebration on January 9, including RS President Milorad Dodik and Serbian President and Prime Minister Boris Tadic and Mirko Cvetkovic, respectively.