SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 14,2008) - Bosnian police today arrested four Serbians living in Bosnia suspected of taking part in a mass murder of more than 200 Bosnian civilians and Croatians living in Bosnia during the 1992-95 Serbian aggression against Bosnia, the Bosnian State Prosecutor's Office said.
The mass murder in central Bosnia occurred on August 21st, 1992.Serbian war criminals Milorad Skrbic, Milorad Radakovic, Gordan Djuric and Ljubisa Cetic were arrested on charges of crimes against humanity in the area of the northwestern Bosnian town of Prijedor, the Bosnian State Prosecutor's office said in a statement.
"They are suspected of taking part in the execution on Mount Vlasic of more than 200 Bosniak and Croat civilians who had been taken off the buses that transported them from a Prijedor area concentration camp to the central Bosnian town of Travnik," it said.
The genocide victims were told by the genocidal Serbian fascist aggressor they were being released in a prisoner exchange and were driven from the Trnopolje concentration camp to some woods.
There, the detained Bosnian and Croatian civilians were forced to kneel by the edge of a ravine and shot by the genocidal Serbian fascist aggressor. A dozen survived by tumbling or jumping down the cliff.
Former member of the genocidal paramilitary fascist formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia (VRS),Serbian war criminal Darko Mrdja, who confessed to taking part in the massacre on Mount Vlasic, was jailed for 17 years in 2004 by the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
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Showing posts with label serbian aggressor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label serbian aggressor. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
TRIAL OF SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL MOMIR SAVIC STARTS BEFORE BOSNIAN STATE COURT
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (August 12,2008) - The trial of Serbian war criminal Momir Savic has started today before the Section I for War Crimes of the Bosnian State Court. Serbian war criminal Momir Savić is charged with the criminal offence of Crimes against Humanity committed during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
According to the charges in the Indictment, Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, as the member of an undetermined paramilitary formation at the time when the Užice Corps of the former "Yugoslav People's Army" (JNA) launched its operations against Bosnia, and later as a member of the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia ("VRS"), during the period April through September 1992, he carried out persecution, murders, imprisonment, rapes, torture and other inhumane acts directed against Bosnian civilians in the area of Višegrad municipality in the eastern Bosnia.
Among other things, it is stated in the Indictment that Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, on 29 April 1992, in a group together with several Serbian fascist aggressor's soldiers, in the Bosnian village of Meremišlje, took part in the torture of four Bosnian civilians, as well as in plundering and burning down of the houses of two Bosnian civilians.
Further, the Indictment reads that Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, on 23 May 1992, in a group with several other Serbian fascist aggressor's soldiers, in the settlement of Drinsko, took ten Bosnian civilians out of their houses. Afterwards, these Bosnian civilians were tortured and taken to the hill “Kik”, in the so-called “Pušni Do” forest, were they were murdered by the genocidal Serbian fascist aggressor.
Further, on 25 May 1995, it is stated in the Indictment,Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, together with other Serbian fascist aggressor's soldiers, participated in the torture of detained Bosnian civilians. On the same occasion, Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, when one Bosnian civilian tried to run away, shot at him from a firearmes and murdered him.
During the period from 7 June 1992 until the end of September 1992, as stated in the Indictment,one Bosnian woman was raped numerous times by Serbian war criminal Momir Savić.
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According to the charges in the Indictment, Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, as the member of an undetermined paramilitary formation at the time when the Užice Corps of the former "Yugoslav People's Army" (JNA) launched its operations against Bosnia, and later as a member of the genocidal paramilitary formations of the Serbians living in Bosnia ("VRS"), during the period April through September 1992, he carried out persecution, murders, imprisonment, rapes, torture and other inhumane acts directed against Bosnian civilians in the area of Višegrad municipality in the eastern Bosnia.
Among other things, it is stated in the Indictment that Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, on 29 April 1992, in a group together with several Serbian fascist aggressor's soldiers, in the Bosnian village of Meremišlje, took part in the torture of four Bosnian civilians, as well as in plundering and burning down of the houses of two Bosnian civilians.
Further, the Indictment reads that Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, on 23 May 1992, in a group with several other Serbian fascist aggressor's soldiers, in the settlement of Drinsko, took ten Bosnian civilians out of their houses. Afterwards, these Bosnian civilians were tortured and taken to the hill “Kik”, in the so-called “Pušni Do” forest, were they were murdered by the genocidal Serbian fascist aggressor.
Further, on 25 May 1995, it is stated in the Indictment,Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, together with other Serbian fascist aggressor's soldiers, participated in the torture of detained Bosnian civilians. On the same occasion, Serbian war criminal Momir Savić, when one Bosnian civilian tried to run away, shot at him from a firearmes and murdered him.
During the period from 7 June 1992 until the end of September 1992, as stated in the Indictment,one Bosnian woman was raped numerous times by Serbian war criminal Momir Savić.
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Thursday, July 24, 2008
BOSNIAN PRESIDENT HARIS SILAJDZIC: CAPTURE OF SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL RADOVAN KARADZIC IS A GREAT DAY FOR BOSNIA
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (July 24,2008) - The arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic will be marked as a great day for Bosnia, the Bosnian President Haris Silajdzic said in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.President Silajdzic, in his first reaction on Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic’s arrest, said in his statement for the Bosnian state television (BHT) that it has been shown that the justice still can be reached, but he has also warned that Serbian war criminal Ratko Mladic is still at large.The Bosnian President Haris Silajdzic said that it must not be allowed that the project of those two Serbian war criminals still lives in Bosnia, and by this he meant on the consequences of genocide they are responsible for.
"This is at least some satisfaction for the families of the genocide victims.The justice, however, cannot be complete without the arrest of Ratko Mladic," President Silajdzic said.
Although he had been skeptical about the prospects for Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic's arrest, he said that his belief in justice has been restored.
The Bosnian President Haris Silajdzic also said that the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic will contribute to justice, peace and stability in Bosnia as well as catharsis in the genocidal Serbia.
Serbian war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic,have been indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) since 1995 on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and other war crimes committed during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
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OIC WELCOMES ARREST OF SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL RADOVAN KARADZIC
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (July 24,2008) - The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has welcomed the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic, since 1995 indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and other war crimes committed during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
Prof. Ihsanoglu who described the arrest as a major step to end impunity and deliver justice for the Bosnian Muslims as well as other victims of mass killing and war crimes , expressed the hope that this would soon be followed by the apprehension of other indicted war criminals in former Yugoslavia.
The OIC Secretary General also looked forward that this development would close a sad long chapter in the history of Bosnia and open a new era of enduring reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and security for the peoples of the southeastern Europe.
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference is an international organization with a permanent delegation to the United Nations. It groups 57 member states, from the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, Caucasus, Southeast Europe, Southeast Asia, South Asia and South America.
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Prof. Ihsanoglu who described the arrest as a major step to end impunity and deliver justice for the Bosnian Muslims as well as other victims of mass killing and war crimes , expressed the hope that this would soon be followed by the apprehension of other indicted war criminals in former Yugoslavia.
The OIC Secretary General also looked forward that this development would close a sad long chapter in the history of Bosnia and open a new era of enduring reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and security for the peoples of the southeastern Europe.
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference is an international organization with a permanent delegation to the United Nations. It groups 57 member states, from the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, Caucasus, Southeast Europe, Southeast Asia, South Asia and South America.
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ICTY WELCOMES ARREST OF SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL RADOVAN KARADZIC
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands (July 24,2008) - The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) welcomes the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic and looks forward to his prompt transfer to the Tribunal in The Hague in order to stand trial,the ICTY said.
Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic has been charged by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) with genocide, extermination, murder, deportation, inhumane acts, and other crimes against Bosnian civilians during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
The ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz has also welcomed the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic, it was announced by the ICTY.
"I have been informed by my colleagues from Belgrade on the successful operation that resulted in arrest of Radovan Karadzic. On the behalf of the Prosecutor’s Office, I congratulate to the Serbian authorities, especially the National Security Council, Serbian action team in charge of searching after the fugitives and the prosecutor’s Office for the war crimes on undertaking this big step in cooperation with the Tribunal," the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Brammertz said
He pointed out that this is a very important day for the Bosnian genocide victims that have waited for the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic for more than a decade.
He also added that this is a big day for justice since it clearly demonstrates that no one is beyond law and that all fugitives from justice will be, sooner or later, arrested.
The date of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadžić’s transfer into the Tribunal’s custody will be determined in due course.
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Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic has been charged by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) with genocide, extermination, murder, deportation, inhumane acts, and other crimes against Bosnian civilians during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
The ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz has also welcomed the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic, it was announced by the ICTY.
"I have been informed by my colleagues from Belgrade on the successful operation that resulted in arrest of Radovan Karadzic. On the behalf of the Prosecutor’s Office, I congratulate to the Serbian authorities, especially the National Security Council, Serbian action team in charge of searching after the fugitives and the prosecutor’s Office for the war crimes on undertaking this big step in cooperation with the Tribunal," the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Brammertz said
He pointed out that this is a very important day for the Bosnian genocide victims that have waited for the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic for more than a decade.
He also added that this is a big day for justice since it clearly demonstrates that no one is beyond law and that all fugitives from justice will be, sooner or later, arrested.
The date of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadžić’s transfer into the Tribunal’s custody will be determined in due course.
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LAJCAK WELCOMES ARREST OF SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL RADOVAN KARADZIC
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (July 24,2008) - The International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia, Miroslav Lajčák, has welcomed the long awaited arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic, since 1995 indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and other war crimes committed during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
“The news that Radovan Karadzic has been arrested is positive for Bosnia and for the whole region. This arrest proves that justice reaches everyone. Nobody is untouchable. Although two indictees, Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic, still remain at large, the arrest of Karadzic can be viewed as the beginning of the end of the most tragic chapter in Bosnia’s modern history,” Lajčák said.
He said that although justice in the Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic case has been delayed it has not been denied.
“Karadzic’s continuing liberty has been an affront to justice and a challenge to the domestic and international legal systems, but justice will now take its course – and that is a matter of the greatest political importance and respect not just for the people of Bosnia but for all of us.”
Lajčák described Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic’s arrest as “a matter of the integrity of the rule of law” and he said it offered “fresh impetus to the region’s long march to postwar recovery and European integration.
The officials of the European Union already announced that the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic will have positive consequences concerning the EU integration process of the region.”
The International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia noted that Bosnia in 2008 is a very different country from the one in 1996.
“The arrest of Radovan Karadzic will help the people of Bosnia to turn from past to the future and focus on the challenges they face today,” he concluded.
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“The news that Radovan Karadzic has been arrested is positive for Bosnia and for the whole region. This arrest proves that justice reaches everyone. Nobody is untouchable. Although two indictees, Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic, still remain at large, the arrest of Karadzic can be viewed as the beginning of the end of the most tragic chapter in Bosnia’s modern history,” Lajčák said.
He said that although justice in the Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic case has been delayed it has not been denied.
“Karadzic’s continuing liberty has been an affront to justice and a challenge to the domestic and international legal systems, but justice will now take its course – and that is a matter of the greatest political importance and respect not just for the people of Bosnia but for all of us.”
Lajčák described Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic’s arrest as “a matter of the integrity of the rule of law” and he said it offered “fresh impetus to the region’s long march to postwar recovery and European integration.
The officials of the European Union already announced that the arrest of Serbian war criminal Radovan Karadzic will have positive consequences concerning the EU integration process of the region.”
The International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia noted that Bosnia in 2008 is a very different country from the one in 1996.
“The arrest of Radovan Karadzic will help the people of Bosnia to turn from past to the future and focus on the challenges they face today,” he concluded.
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Saturday, March 1, 2008
SERBIAN WAR CRIMINAL JOVAN OSTOJIC ARRESTED IN BOSNIA
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 1,2008) – On the basis of arrest warrant issued by the Bosnian State Prosecutor’s Office, Serbian war criminal Jovan Ostojic (53), suspected of crimes against humanity, was arrested in the northern Bosnian cit of Banja Luka on Thrusday, Boris Grubesic, the Bosnian State Prosecutor’s Office Spokesperson said.
Serbian war criminal Jovan Ostojic has been suspected of war crimes committed against Bosnian civilians in the Bosanska Krupa area in 1992,during the Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
The suspect will be extradited to the Bosnian State Prosecutor’s Office in the legal time frame and will be submitted to the Bosnian State Court for determining detention measures.
Serbian war criminal Jovan Ostojic was arrested by members of War Crimes Investigation Centre, the Banja Luka Office, in cooperation with the Bosnian State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA).
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Serbian war criminal Jovan Ostojic has been suspected of war crimes committed against Bosnian civilians in the Bosanska Krupa area in 1992,during the Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
The suspect will be extradited to the Bosnian State Prosecutor’s Office in the legal time frame and will be submitted to the Bosnian State Court for determining detention measures.
Serbian war criminal Jovan Ostojic was arrested by members of War Crimes Investigation Centre, the Banja Luka Office, in cooperation with the Bosnian State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA).
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Friday, February 29, 2008
BOSNIAN STATE COURT FINDS SERBIAN WAR CRIMINALS MITAR RASEVIC AND SAVO TODOVIC GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 29,2008) – The Bosnian State Court sentenced yesterday Serbian war criminal Mitar Rasevic to eight and a half years and Serbian war criminal Savo Todovic to twelve years of imprisonment for war crimes committed against Bosnian civilians during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia at the Foca concentration camp.
The Bosnian State Court announced Serbian war criminals Mitar Rasevic and Savo Todovic are guilty of crimes against humanity committed at the concentration camp in the eastern Bosnian town of Foca and sentenced them to eight and a half and twelve and a half years imprisonment respectively.
They were also found guilty of having participated in joint criminal enterprise.
The time they have spent in custody will be credited towards their sentence. Rasevic has been in custody since August 2003 and Todovic since January 2005.
Serbian war criminals Todovic and Rasevic, between April 1992 to October 1994, participated in the mistreatment of more than 700 Bosnian civilians at the Foca concentration campnnnnnj. Rasevic was commander of guards, while Todovic was deputy commander of the concentration camp.
The announcement of the verdict started with an hour and a half delay. Upon his arrival to the courtroom, Trial Chamber Chairman Hilmo Vucinic said the delay was "just proof" that the three-day legal deadline "was not sufficient for these type of decisions."
The Bosnian State Court announced the two Serbian war criminals guilty of all counts in the indictment, but it acquitted them of the charges contained in two sub-counts, which charged them with having maintained the system of mistreatment of Bosnian civilians in the Foca concentration camp and with having ordered the guards to torture and murder detained Bosnian civilians.
According to the Trial Chamber, on the basis of the presented pieces of evidence it can be determined that the indictees were "aware of their positions and of all the happenings in the Foca concentration camp".
"Most of the witnesses were the foca concentration camp survivors. The Chamber is aware of the fact that they were not eyewitnesses to these events, but it decided to admit their statements, as they suffered incrimination and because their statements were more or less the same," Vucinic said.
Chairman Vucinic also emphasised that, when considering the severity of the sentence, the Chamber "especially considered the mitigating circumstances" for Rasevic although he did not say which circumstances he was referring to.
"The eight and a half years sentence can fully serve the purpose of punishment. Concerning Serbian war criminal Savo Todovic, the Bosnian State Court determined that the twelve and a half years sentence is adequate bearing in mind the severity of the crime," Vucinic said.
The Defence attorneys of the two indictees said that they intended to file an appeal, as they were not content with the verdict.
The two Serbian war criminals were originally indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia at The Hague. In October 2006, as part of the ICTY's exit strategy, this case was referred to Bosnia for further processing.
In early 2007 the Bosnian State Court confirmed the amended indictment against Serbian war criminals Mitar Rasevic and Savo Todovic.
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The Bosnian State Court announced Serbian war criminals Mitar Rasevic and Savo Todovic are guilty of crimes against humanity committed at the concentration camp in the eastern Bosnian town of Foca and sentenced them to eight and a half and twelve and a half years imprisonment respectively.
They were also found guilty of having participated in joint criminal enterprise.
The time they have spent in custody will be credited towards their sentence. Rasevic has been in custody since August 2003 and Todovic since January 2005.
Serbian war criminals Todovic and Rasevic, between April 1992 to October 1994, participated in the mistreatment of more than 700 Bosnian civilians at the Foca concentration campnnnnnj. Rasevic was commander of guards, while Todovic was deputy commander of the concentration camp.
The announcement of the verdict started with an hour and a half delay. Upon his arrival to the courtroom, Trial Chamber Chairman Hilmo Vucinic said the delay was "just proof" that the three-day legal deadline "was not sufficient for these type of decisions."
The Bosnian State Court announced the two Serbian war criminals guilty of all counts in the indictment, but it acquitted them of the charges contained in two sub-counts, which charged them with having maintained the system of mistreatment of Bosnian civilians in the Foca concentration camp and with having ordered the guards to torture and murder detained Bosnian civilians.
According to the Trial Chamber, on the basis of the presented pieces of evidence it can be determined that the indictees were "aware of their positions and of all the happenings in the Foca concentration camp".
"Most of the witnesses were the foca concentration camp survivors. The Chamber is aware of the fact that they were not eyewitnesses to these events, but it decided to admit their statements, as they suffered incrimination and because their statements were more or less the same," Vucinic said.
Chairman Vucinic also emphasised that, when considering the severity of the sentence, the Chamber "especially considered the mitigating circumstances" for Rasevic although he did not say which circumstances he was referring to.
"The eight and a half years sentence can fully serve the purpose of punishment. Concerning Serbian war criminal Savo Todovic, the Bosnian State Court determined that the twelve and a half years sentence is adequate bearing in mind the severity of the crime," Vucinic said.
The Defence attorneys of the two indictees said that they intended to file an appeal, as they were not content with the verdict.
The two Serbian war criminals were originally indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia at The Hague. In October 2006, as part of the ICTY's exit strategy, this case was referred to Bosnia for further processing.
In early 2007 the Bosnian State Court confirmed the amended indictment against Serbian war criminals Mitar Rasevic and Savo Todovic.
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
BOSNIAN STATE COURT TO ANNOUNCE TOMORROW ITS VERDICT AGAINST SERBIAN WAR CRIMINALS MITAR RASEVIC AND SAVO TODOVIC
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (February 27,2008) – The Bosnian State Court said it will announce its verdict against Serbian war criminals Mitar Rasevic and Savo Todovic at the end of this week.The Trial Chamber said it will announce its verdict tomorrow,on February 28.
The Bosnian State Prosecutor alleges that Serbian war crimials Rasevic and Todovic participated in the establishment and maintenance of the system for murder and mistreatment of at least 700 Bosnian civilians held by the genocidal Serbian aggressor in the Foca concentration camp,during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
The indictment claims that Rasevic was commander of guards, while Todovic was deputy concentration camp commander. The two Serbian war criminals are charged on the basis of their command and individual responsibility.
Calling for a verdict of release, the two indictees and their Defence teams said they considered that the Prosecution did not prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In their closing arguments, Serbian war criminals Rasevic and Todovic denied having participated in the mistreatment and murder of Bosnian civilians and asked the Bosnian State Court to pass down "the only fair verdict, i.e. a verdict of release."
Defence attorney Slavisa Prodanovic stressed that Serbian war criminal Mitar Rasevic treated the Bosnian civilians in a "humane" manner and that in no way could he influence the conditions in the Foca concentration camp. He further said that he did not have the "power" to sanction other Serbian aggressor's soldiers "for whatever they did".
Prodanovic said that the indictment was "defective and imprecise" and repeated several times that it was "arbitrary." He added that the Prosecution had not managed to prove, "beyond reasonable doubt", any count from the indictment or the individual and command responsibility of his client.
"The Prosecution has based this case on one document, by which the Foca concentration camp commander appointed Rasevic as commander of guards. On the basis of this document, the Prosecution determined that he had the power to prevent the guards from doing something. His sole responsibility was to distribute the guards. All other issues were handled by the concentration camp commander," Prodanovic said.
Todovic's Defence attorneys also indicated that Serbian war criminal Milorad Krnojelac, the Foca concentration camp commander who was sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to 15 years of imprisonment, was responsible for this concentration camp and that his client's responsibility was "not proved at all."
"The concentration camp commander had the responsibility for all detainees. However, his responsibilities were also limited," the second indictee's additional attorney Jovan Debelica said.
Serbian war criminal Mitar Rasevic said he helped the Bosnian civilians held in the Foca concentration camp "as much as he possibly could" and that he could not prevent anyone from taking them away "even if he told them to kill him first."
"I feel honoured and pleased when I see some of the witnesses whom I helped. To me, the fact that some people who used to be detained in the Facility greet and encourage me today represents the biggest moral satisfaction," he said.
Serbian war criminal Mitar Rasevic also added that he felt sympathy for the families of those Bosnian civilians murdered and the survivors who had been detained in the Foca concentration camp. He also pointed out that it would be unfair to them should the Bosnian State Court pronounce him guilty as, in that case, "the actual perpetrators would remain unpunished."
Serbian war criminal Savo Todovic did not deny that conditions in the Foca concentration camp were "difficult". However, he said that this was a result of "objective circumstances" and was not his fault. He also pointed out that he was glad because "this agony" was finally over.
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The Bosnian State Prosecutor alleges that Serbian war crimials Rasevic and Todovic participated in the establishment and maintenance of the system for murder and mistreatment of at least 700 Bosnian civilians held by the genocidal Serbian aggressor in the Foca concentration camp,during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggression against Bosnia.
The indictment claims that Rasevic was commander of guards, while Todovic was deputy concentration camp commander. The two Serbian war criminals are charged on the basis of their command and individual responsibility.
Calling for a verdict of release, the two indictees and their Defence teams said they considered that the Prosecution did not prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In their closing arguments, Serbian war criminals Rasevic and Todovic denied having participated in the mistreatment and murder of Bosnian civilians and asked the Bosnian State Court to pass down "the only fair verdict, i.e. a verdict of release."
Defence attorney Slavisa Prodanovic stressed that Serbian war criminal Mitar Rasevic treated the Bosnian civilians in a "humane" manner and that in no way could he influence the conditions in the Foca concentration camp. He further said that he did not have the "power" to sanction other Serbian aggressor's soldiers "for whatever they did".
Prodanovic said that the indictment was "defective and imprecise" and repeated several times that it was "arbitrary." He added that the Prosecution had not managed to prove, "beyond reasonable doubt", any count from the indictment or the individual and command responsibility of his client.
"The Prosecution has based this case on one document, by which the Foca concentration camp commander appointed Rasevic as commander of guards. On the basis of this document, the Prosecution determined that he had the power to prevent the guards from doing something. His sole responsibility was to distribute the guards. All other issues were handled by the concentration camp commander," Prodanovic said.
Todovic's Defence attorneys also indicated that Serbian war criminal Milorad Krnojelac, the Foca concentration camp commander who was sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to 15 years of imprisonment, was responsible for this concentration camp and that his client's responsibility was "not proved at all."
"The concentration camp commander had the responsibility for all detainees. However, his responsibilities were also limited," the second indictee's additional attorney Jovan Debelica said.
Serbian war criminal Mitar Rasevic said he helped the Bosnian civilians held in the Foca concentration camp "as much as he possibly could" and that he could not prevent anyone from taking them away "even if he told them to kill him first."
"I feel honoured and pleased when I see some of the witnesses whom I helped. To me, the fact that some people who used to be detained in the Facility greet and encourage me today represents the biggest moral satisfaction," he said.
Serbian war criminal Mitar Rasevic also added that he felt sympathy for the families of those Bosnian civilians murdered and the survivors who had been detained in the Foca concentration camp. He also pointed out that it would be unfair to them should the Bosnian State Court pronounce him guilty as, in that case, "the actual perpetrators would remain unpunished."
Serbian war criminal Savo Todovic did not deny that conditions in the Foca concentration camp were "difficult". However, he said that this was a result of "objective circumstances" and was not his fault. He also pointed out that he was glad because "this agony" was finally over.
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Monday, January 28, 2008
OHR SUPPORTS RESOLUTION OF JURIŠIĆ CASE
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (January 28,2008) - The Office of the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia (OHR) representatives met with representatives of the Tuzla Municipal Council to discuss recent developments in the Ilija Jurišić case.Ilija Jurišić is a Bosnian patriot who participated in defending the Bosnian city of Tuzla from the Serbian aggressor,during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggresion against Bosnia.Jurišić has been arrested by the Serbian aggressor and has been in a prison in Belgrade since 11 May 2007.
In May 1992,the genocidal Serbian aggressor's troops came under attack by the Bosnian Army as they were withdrawing from the eastern Bosnian city of Tuzla and up to 200 Serbian aggressor's soldiers were reportedly killed and 140 of them were taken prisoners by the Bosnian Army.
Former Tuzla Municipal Council President Ilija Jurišić is currently in custody in the genocidal Serbia in connection to this event.
Bosnia and and the genocidal Serbia are parties to the Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. This convention offers technical mechanisms for resolving cases such as that of Bosnian citizen Ilija Jurišić. The Bosnian Ministry of Justice is the competent body to deal with international legal assistance, the OHR said.
The OHR has followed the case from the start and will continue to monitor developments. The OHR stands ready to facilitate a resolution to the Ilija Jurišić case within the framework of the above mentioned Conventions, if so requested by either party.
Friday, January 25, 2008
SDP PARTY URGES BOSNIAN MINISTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND REFUGEES TO RESIGN
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (January 25,2008) – The Social Democratic Party (SDP) delegate at the Bosnian Parliament's House of Representatives and a member of the Commission for Human Rights, Rights of Children, Youth, Immigration, Refugees, Asylum and Ethics Denis Becirovic, sent an open letter yesterday to the Bosnian Minister of Human Rights and Refugees Safet Halilovic, asking him to resign, for, as stated, non-efficiency in the protection of human rights of the Bosnian citizen Ilija Jurisic.
”As a delegate at the Bosnian Parliament's House of Representatives, I asked several questions to Bosnian state institutions, related to the arrest of Ilija Jurisic at the Belgrade airport, May 11 2007, for I am of the opinion that the arrest is illegal”, Becirovic stated and added that this event has no precedent in international relations and international legal assistance.
He emphasized that the event is also painting a picture of internal relations in Bosnia, as well as the relation between our country and its neighbours, or between Bosnia and any other country on the planet Earth. Other countries’ can, apparently, arrest Bosnian citizens “the way they want to”, for they have no protection whatsoever.
Becirovic stated that everyone should bear individual responsibility for the actions he or she could have taken but did not.
”As the Bosnian Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, you were obliged to insist on full respect of international standards from the sector of human rights and liberties. Instead of doing so, you seem to have “slept over” the past eight months of Ilija Jurisic’s struggle for human rights”, the letter states.
Becirovic reminded Halilovic that he, as delegate, asked him a question on all the past activities taken in the process of releasing Ilija Jurisic. He also asked Minister Halilovic to state whether or not he has visited Ilija Jurisic.
The letter also states: “Also, in your opinion, ‘the very fact that a person is held in detention is not the reason enough to trigger a reaction on the basis of the international standards you mentioned’”.
”I am writing you this, for I am disappointed with a fact I have heard in Belgrade recently – you have visited Ilija Jurisic not a single time for all the eight months of his imprisonment. You have not even formed a delegation on behalf of your ministry to visit our citizen”, the letter states.
"Minister, keeping in mind the fact that you have done nothing in eight months to efficiently and concretely protect and help Ilija Jurisic, I hereby call you to make the only moral act possible – irrevocably resign," the letter Becirevic sent to the Bosnian Human Rights and Refugees Minister Safet Halilovic states.
Ilija Jurišić is a Bosnian patriot who participated in defending the Bosnian city of Tuzla from the Serbian aggressor,during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggresion against Bosnia.Jurišić has been arrested by the Serbian aggressor and has been in a prison in Belgrade since 11 May 2007.
”As a delegate at the Bosnian Parliament's House of Representatives, I asked several questions to Bosnian state institutions, related to the arrest of Ilija Jurisic at the Belgrade airport, May 11 2007, for I am of the opinion that the arrest is illegal”, Becirovic stated and added that this event has no precedent in international relations and international legal assistance.
He emphasized that the event is also painting a picture of internal relations in Bosnia, as well as the relation between our country and its neighbours, or between Bosnia and any other country on the planet Earth. Other countries’ can, apparently, arrest Bosnian citizens “the way they want to”, for they have no protection whatsoever.
Becirovic stated that everyone should bear individual responsibility for the actions he or she could have taken but did not.
”As the Bosnian Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, you were obliged to insist on full respect of international standards from the sector of human rights and liberties. Instead of doing so, you seem to have “slept over” the past eight months of Ilija Jurisic’s struggle for human rights”, the letter states.
Becirovic reminded Halilovic that he, as delegate, asked him a question on all the past activities taken in the process of releasing Ilija Jurisic. He also asked Minister Halilovic to state whether or not he has visited Ilija Jurisic.
The letter also states: “Also, in your opinion, ‘the very fact that a person is held in detention is not the reason enough to trigger a reaction on the basis of the international standards you mentioned’”.
”I am writing you this, for I am disappointed with a fact I have heard in Belgrade recently – you have visited Ilija Jurisic not a single time for all the eight months of his imprisonment. You have not even formed a delegation on behalf of your ministry to visit our citizen”, the letter states.
"Minister, keeping in mind the fact that you have done nothing in eight months to efficiently and concretely protect and help Ilija Jurisic, I hereby call you to make the only moral act possible – irrevocably resign," the letter Becirevic sent to the Bosnian Human Rights and Refugees Minister Safet Halilovic states.
Ilija Jurišić is a Bosnian patriot who participated in defending the Bosnian city of Tuzla from the Serbian aggressor,during the 1992-1995 Serbian aggresion against Bosnia.Jurišić has been arrested by the Serbian aggressor and has been in a prison in Belgrade since 11 May 2007.
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