Bosnian Serbs celebrate statehood day defying bans, sanctions

People hold Serbian and Republika Srpska flags during parade celebrations to mark their autonomous Serb Republic's national holiday, in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 9, 2022. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia (Reuters) - Bosnian Serbs held public celebrations to mark their autonomous Serb Republic's national holiday with armed police forces parade on Sunday, defying a top court's ban of the commemoration and U.S. sanctions slapped this week on their leader Milorad Dodik.

Jan. 9 marks the date in 1992 when Bosnian Serbs declared independence, triggering a war in which 100,000 were killed. It also coincides with Serbian Orthodox Christian holiday.