US Lawyer Marc Zell, Chairman of the Republican Party in Israel, recently registered as a lobbyer on behalf of the Republika Srpska, whose president Milorad Dodik faced an international arrest warrant, while attending the Conference in Israel, organized by the Ministry of Diaspora.
One of the main goals of lobbying is the abolition of sanctions that the United States introduced Dodik, known for its secessionist and Pro-Surface.
As he states HaaretzUnder the US Registration Act of Foreign Agents (Fara), any American citizen or company that advocates the entity is obliged to apply for such activities in advance. According to the USA, Zella company – Zell & Associates International Advocates – registered as a lobbyist for Republika Srpska in January this year.
Zell, who lives in the Israeli settlement Kfar Etzion on the west coast, cited that address when registering. His firm, as shown documents, has offices in New York, Washington, Toronto, Moscow and Aman. For your services, Zell will receive $ 840,000.
According to the contract signed by the head of Milorad Dodik, and which Haaretz quotes, the main goal of lobbying is “establishing and promoting dialogue between the Republika Srpska and the future administration of Donald Trump, with the aim of improving the relationship between RS, its leadership and the United States.”
It is further stated that this potential approach will take place “in the context of geopolitical changes that affect the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, especially due to the war between Ukraine and Russia and its possible ending”.
Zell’s registration is dated 13. January – a few days before Trump’s return to the White House and far before his administration began any talks on the solution to the Ukraine.
On request Haaretza, Zell stated: “The information you have provided to me is incomplete, incorrect and therefore deceitful. Besides, I have no comment”.
Dodik’s International Arrest Order
Documents show that ZELL will work at the abolition of personal sanctions against Dodik, but also the former President of the Republic of Srpska Željka Cvijanović, the current Member of the Presidency of BiH. In case of success, the law firm will receive an additional bonus.
Haaretz recalls that in February this year, Dodik was sentenced to the year in prison and the prohibition of public functions for six years, due to non-compliance with the decisions of the High Representative in BiH. The Court of BiH issued an international arrest order last week.
Although the verdict is still susceptible to the appeal, Dodik rejected it as illegitimately, accusing the judicial system of BiH for “law abuse”. He pointed out that BiH “failed the state”.
While facing the judicial processes, Dodik visited Serbia, where he met with President Aleksandar Vučić, and then traveled to Israel at the Conference organized by the Israeli Ministry for Diaspora. The meeting was attended by representatives of European right-wing parties, as well as former President Paraguay, who is under American sanctions due to heresbolah relationships.
According to Haaretz, Dodik left the conference shortly after arrival. The source from the organization of the event stated that “was present barely an hour and did not participate in the main sessions.” When asked if he left the event voluntarily or was asked to leave, the source replied that “kindly asked to leave the set.”
Israel refused to comment out the extradition
Israel and BiH are signatories to the European Convention on the extradition, which obliges Member States to extradite the requested persons, with certain exceptions. The Ministry of Justice of Israel did not want to comment on whether BiH submitted a request for the extradition of Milorad Dodik.
It is interesting that Zell, who is now lobbying on behalf of Dodik, earlier donated to the Senator Marta Rubija campaign, the current US Secretary in Trump Administration. Rubio, however, criticized Dodik recently, stating: “President of the Republika Srpska undermine the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and jeopardize its safety and stability.” They oppose this hazardous and destabilizing behavior, “writes Clix.
