Interpol has issued Red Notices seeking the arrests of Milorad Dodik, the President of the Republika Srpska, and Stefan Stevandić, the Minister of Interior of the same entity.

These notices come as part of a broader investigation into allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

The requests were made by judicial authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed at ensuring the accountability of public officials.

Dodik, who has faced international criticism for his nationalist rhetoric and actions that challenge the integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina's governance structure, has denied all allegations against him.

He has been a prominent figure in Bosnian politics and has been accused of promoting ethnic division.

Stevandić, meanwhile, is a key ally of Dodik and has similarly defended their actions as being within legal bounds.

The Red Notices are a significant development in international law enforcement efforts, as they alert member countries to be on the lookout for individuals wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence based on valid legal charges.

The notices do not, however, equate to an international arrest warrant.

In response to these developments, Dodik claimed to have received a phone call from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, though details of their conversation have not been disclosed.

This comes amid rising tensions within the region, where political stability has been a concern since the conclusion of the Bosnian War in the 1990s.

The actions of interpol and the response from local officials highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing governmental corruption in the western Balkans, where political leaders often find themselves at the center of contentious legal disputes.

This situation is being closely monitored by several international bodies focused on governance and the rule of law in the region.