| Press Release |
TRIAL CHAMBER
|
| (Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document) |
|
The Hague, 8 October 2003
JL/P.I.S./787-e
Ranko Cesic Pleads Guilty to All Counts of his Indictment
Today, Wednesday 8 October 2003, Trial Chamber I comprised of Judge Orie, presiding, Judge Liu and Judge El Mahdi held a hearing to consider a joint motion for consideration of Plea Agreement between Ranko Cesic and the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP).
The Motion reflected a negotiated Plea Agreement whereby the accused would agree to plead guilty to all counts of the Third Amended Indictment.
The Third Amended Indictment, filed pursuant to the terms of the Trial Chamber’s Decision of 22 November 2002, alleges that beginning on about 30 April 1992, Serb forces fought to obtain control of Brcko, a town and municipality in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the former Yugoslavia. The Serb forces forcibly expelled Croat and Muslim residents from their homes, and, with the assistance of local Serb authorities, held them at collection centres, including Luka Camp and the Brcko Partizan Sports Hall, where many were killed, beaten and otherwise mistreated. Many of the women, children and elderly were confined at the nearby village of Brezovo Polje. Most of the men of military age and a few women were taken to Luka Camp.
The Indictment alleges that from about 7 May 1992 until early July 1992, Serb forces confined hundreds of Muslim and Croat men and a few women at Luka Camp in inhumane conditions and under armed guard. From about 7 May 1992 until about 21 May 1992, detainees were systematically killed at Luka. It is further alleged that from about 21 May 1992 until early July 1992, the detainees were subjected to beatings and, less frequently than before, killings. In early July 1992, the surviving Luka detainees were transferred to another detention camp at Batkovic. According to the Indictment, the Serb authorities killed hundreds of Muslims and Croats during the time Luka Camp operated. At all times relevant to the Indictment, a state of armed conflict existed in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At all relevant times, Ranko Cesic was required to abide by the laws and customs governing the conduct of war, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
The Indictment charged Cesic on the basis of his individual criminal responsibility (Article 7(1) of the Statute) with:
· Count 1: murder, a violation of the laws or customs of war recognised by Article 3 of the Tribunal of the Statute and Article 3(1)(a) of the Geneva Convention.
· Count 2: murder, a crime against humanity recognised by Article 5(a) of the Tribunal Statute.
· Count 3: murder, a violation of the laws or customs of war recognised by Article 3 of the Tribunal of the Statute and Article 3(1)(a) of the Geneva Convention.
· Count 4: murder, a crime against humanity recognised by Article 5(a) of the Tribunal Statute.
· Count 5: murder, a violation of the laws or customs of war recognised by Article 3 of the Tribunal of the Statute and Article 3(1)(a) of the Geneva Convention.
· Count 6: murder, a crime against humanity recognised by Article 5(a) of the Tribunal Statute.
· Count 7: humiliating and degrading treatment, a violation of the laws or customs of war recognised by Article 3 of the Tribunal of the Statute and Article 3(1)(c) of the Geneva Convention.
· Count 8: rape, which includes other forms of sexual assault, a crime against humanity recognised by Article 5(g) of the Tribunal Statute.
· Count 9: murder, a violation of the laws or customs of war recognised by Article 3 of the Tribunal of the Statute and Article 3(1)(a) of the Geneva Convention.
· Count 10: murder, a crime against humanity recognised by Article 5(a) of the Tribunal Statute.
· Count 11: murder, a violation of the laws or customs of war recognised by Article 3 of the Tribunal of the Statute and Article 3(1)(a) of the Geneva Convention.
· Count 12: murder, a crime against humanity recognised by Article 5(a) of the Tribunal Statute.
Ranko Cesic entered guilty pleas to all 12 counts. The Trial Chamber stated that it was satisfied that the Plea Agreement met the requirements of Rule 62 bis of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and entered a finding of guilt on all 12 counts. The Trial Chamber will further consider whether to give its reasoning on count eight of the Indictment at a later stage.
The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) recommended the Trial Chamber impose a sentence of between 13 and 18 years.
The Sentencing Hearing will be scheduled in due course.
*****
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
For more information, please contact our Media Office in The Hague
Tel.: +31-70-512-8752; 512-5343; 512-5356 Fax: +31-70-512-5355 - Email: press [at] icty.org ()
Follow ICTY on Twitter and Youtube