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Press Release . Communiqué de presse
(Exclusively for the use of the media. Not an official document)
The Hague, 11 June 2003
JL/P.I.S/760-e
JOVICA STANISIC TRANSFERRED TO THE ICTY DETENTION UNIT
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) confirms that Stanisic was transferred to the Detention Unit today, 11 June 2003.
The Indictment
Factual Allegations
An Indictment against Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic was confirmed on 1 May 2003. According to the Indictment, Jovica Stanisic was de facto Chief of the State Security Services (the "DB") in the Republic of Serbia throughout 1991 until his formal appointment from 31 December 1991 to 27 October 1998. It is alleged in the Indictment that from no later than May
1991, secret units, which were not legally authorised, were established by or with the assistance of the Serbian DB for the purpose of undertaking special military operations in the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina ("BiH").
In the Indictment, Stanisic and Simatovic are accused of participating in a joint criminal enterprise, the objective of which was the forcible and permanent removal of the majority of non-Serbs, principally Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats, from large areas of Croatia and BiH. This joint criminal enterprise was in existence no later than 1 August 1991 and continued until
at least 31 December 1995.
According to the Indictment, Stanisic and Simatovic, acting individually and/or in concert with other members of the joint criminal enterprise, participated in the joint criminal enterprise by forming, financing, supplying and supporting special units of the Republic of Serbia DB. Stanisic and Simatovic also allegedly directed members and agents of the DB and provided arms, funds,
training, logistical support and other substantial assistance and support to special units of the DB that were involved in the commission of crimes in Croatia and BiH between 1 August 1991 and 31 December 1995.
Specifically, it is alleged in the Indictment that from or on about 1 April 1991 until 31 December 1995, Stanisic and Simatovic, acting alone and/or in concert with other members of the joint criminal enterprise planned, ordered, committed or otherwise aided and abetted the planning, preparation or execution of persecutions of Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats and other
non-Serbs within the so-called "Serbian Autonomous District" ("SAO") of Krajina and the SAO of Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srem ("SBWS") and territories in BiH including, but not limited to, the municipalities of Bijeljina, Bosanski Samac, Doboj, Mrkonjic Grad, Sanski Most and Zvornik.
It is further alleged that, in the period covered by the Indictment, special units of the DB, acting alone or with other Serb forces, attacked and took control of towns and villages in these territories and subsequently established a regime of persecutions designed to drive the Croats, Bosnian Muslims, Bosnian Croats and other non-Serbs from these territories. These persecutions
were allegedly committed on the discriminatory grounds of political affiliation, race or religion, and included murder, forcible transfer and deportation.
Charges
The Indictment charges Jovica Stanisic on the basis of individual criminal responsibility (Article 7(1) of the Statute) with:
four counts of crimes against humanity (Article 5 of the Statute – persecutions on political racial or religious grounds; murder; deportation; inhumane acts (forcible transfer)), and one count of violations of the laws or customs of war (Article 3 of the Statute – murder)
The date of the initial appearance hearing will be announced in due course.
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The full text of the Indictment can be found in English, French and BCS on the Tribunal’s web site at www.un.org/icty
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