|
Press Release · Communiqué de presse
(Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document)
CC/PIO/017-E
The Hague, 6 September 1995
INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL INDICTS A CROATIAN MILITARY REGIONAL COMMANDER
Today, Wednesday 6 September 1995, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia makes public the indictment of Ivica RAJIC for war crimes in relation to the unlawful attack by the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) against the village of Stupni Do (Central Bosnia) in October 1993.
THE INDICTMENT AND THE PROCEDURE
Filed on 23 August 1995 by the Prosecutor, Justice Richard Goldstone, this indictment was confirmed on 29 August 1995 by Judge Sidhwa.
On the same day, Judge Sidhwa signed warrants for the arrest of the accused, who presently is in the custody of the authorities of the Croatian administration of Herceg-Bosna.
Judge Sidhwa also ordered that there be no public disclosure of the indictment until it was served.
The Tribunal was informed on Tuesday 5 September 1995 that the indictment and the warrants had been served.
THE ACCUSED
The indictment alleges that Ivica RAJIC, also known as Viktor ANDRIC, was the commander of the HVO's Second Operational Group for the region of Kiseljak, Kresevo and Vares (Central Bosnia) in October 1993.
THE FACTS ALLEGED IN THE INDICTMENT
On 23 October 1993, units of the HVO under RAJIC's command attacked the village of Stupni Do, located about 4 kilometres southeast of Vares and inhabited by approximately 250 people who were mostly of Muslim origin. In the attack at least 16 civilians were killed, the village was almost totally destroyed and the inhabitants who had survived were forced to flee.
THE INVESTIGATION
The indictment is the result of an investigation which commenced in March 1994.
THE CRIMES AND THE CHARGES
Ivica RAJIC is charged with:
1) Grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war, namely the wilful killing of civilians and the destruction of property in Stupni Do.
2) Violations of the Laws or Customs of War against persons who took no active part in the hostilities, namely the deliberate attack on the civilian population of Stupni Do and the wanton destruction of the village.
|
