On November 20, Bosnia‑Herzegovina’s Stasja Koszarac posted a WWII helmet and critical letter to German parliamentarian Christian Schmidt on Instagram, prompting EU censure.
Background of the Post
On November 20, Stasja Koszarac, a member of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), posted on Instagram a letter and a World War II helmet that he had sent to German politician Christian Schmidt, accusing him of illegal activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Allegations Against Schmidt
Koszarac described Schmidt as an illegal entrant lacking work permission, claiming he intended to occupy, enslave and subjugate the country, undermining democracy and targeting the Serb Republic president Milorad Dodik. He alleged Schmidt had appropriated local institutions, ruined democracy, and was “embodying political evil.” The post also invoked the helmet as a legacy of Nazi ancestors who murdered his people.
European Union Response
The EU delegation in Bosnia‑Herzegovina took to X to condemn the “scandalous” action by minister Koszarac, calling for an end to provocative rhetoric and urging him to focus on building stability and well‑being for citizens.
U.S. and Swedish Embassies Statement
The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo said the minister’s recent conduct was counter‑productive and contradicted efforts to maintain stability. The Swedish Embassy also criticized the gesture as trivializing history and pledged full support for Schmidt’s mandate.