Weapons Found at Republika Srpska Ceremony Site

Police in Bosnia's predominantly Serb entity, Republika Srpska, said the weapons could have threatened the security of the guests at the celebration, including local leaders and Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, if they had been used.

The weapons were found as police carried out a standard security operation in preparation for the event at Banja Luka's Borik sports hall, the Republika Srpska Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Mirna Soja, a Ministry spokesperson, told Balkan Insight that the Ministry's Crime Department is cooperating with the Banja Luka County prosecutor's office to determine who is responsible for placing the weapons in the venue and who they were targeting.

Local media, meanwhile, have speculated that the cache of weapons was aimed at Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and the Serbian president and prime minister.

The Ministry has said it cannot draw any further conclusions until an investigation is completed. A variety of evidence is being examined, Soja explained, while a number of people have been brought in for questioning.

“We do not have any additional information,” Soja said, “anything else besides that the police found weapons is speculation.”