The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) sentenced on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 Momcilo Krajisnik, former senior Bosnian Serb political official, to 27 years of prison, and acquitted him of genocide charges. (29-SEP-06)

Written by HRH / Mirsad Pandzic.

“You are found not guilty of genocide and complicity in genocide and are therefore acquitted of these charges, as well as war crimes charges”, Judge Alphons Orie said.

“Momcilo Krajisnik is found guilty of persecution, extermination, murder, deportation and forced transfer”, according to the Trial Chamber.

“For your role in these crimes, you are sentenced to 27 years of prison”, Judge Orie said, as reported by AFP.

The Prosecution has accused Krajisnik of participation in a joint criminal enterprise constituting of a large-scale campaign of murders and persecution of Bosniaks, Bosnian Croats and other non-Serbs in 37 municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina from the end of 1991 until the end of 1992. During this time, Krajisnik had held a prominent position in the leadership of Bosnian Serbs. He was a member of the National Security Council, the Extended Presidency of “the Serb Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, the Main Board of the Serb Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDS) and the Assembly of Bosnian Serbs, which he had chaired.

The indictment against Krajisnik was issued on 25 February 2005. He was arrested and transferred to the International Tribunal on 3 April 2000, and the trial lasted from 3 February 2004 to 31 August 2006.

In its closing argument, the prosecution requested a life sentence, while the defence asked for acquittal.

Biljana Plavsic, who had been accused of the same crimes, pleaded guilty and is now serving the 11 years’ sentence in Sweden.