The mayor of Banja Luka, Drasko Stanivukovic, was released from Croatian custody after spending more than 15 hours at a police station at the Stara Gradiska border crossing.

Stanivukovic was detained while returning from Budapest late at night, after refusing to allow a search of his vehicle. Immediately upon his release, he shared his experience on social media.

"After this latest experience in Croatia, I pose a simple question: is this a border crossing between states or an entrance into another era where European regulations no longer apply?" Stanivukovic wrote. He described repeated searches, inspections with dogs and prolonged detentions - fourteen incidents in two months - without finding anything illegal.

The mayor characterized the treatment as systematic harassment and abuse of authority, emphasizing that he is not seeking privileges but rather "freedom of movement, dignity and equal legal treatment."

Stanivukovic linked the harassment to his recent visit to Serbs in Lika and Dalmatia, during which he advocated for dignified coexistence between communities.